Most homeowners have a to-do list that is a mile long of things that need to be done to their house yearly. These can include performing regular checkups or having certain things refilled, but one thing you should also include his regular air conditioning maintenance. Despite what you may think, this isn't something that you have to schedule through your local HVAC company; instead, many of the below tasks can be done (and should be done) by the homeowner. Still, if you have any reservations about completing these items, contact an HVAC company to ask if they offer maintenance as part of their AC services.
Change Air Filters Regularly
On average, most experts recommend changing air filters every 3 to 6 months. This number can go up or down depending on a number of factors, such as the environment that you live in (new construction areas are almost always dirtier, for example), as well as whether anybody in your home has allergy or breathing issues. Failure to change your air filters regularly can lead to a clog in your air vent that will eventually choke out your system and cause it to deteriorate rapidly, if not give out entirely.
Clean the Unit
Head outside to your air conditioning system, disconnect the power, and remove the grates on the unit. When you do that, you should see the fan blades and the condenser coils; inspect those for grime and dirt buildup. Take a rag and wipe them both down, making sure not to damage any of the systems that are inside. Cleaning your fan blades allows your unit to operate more efficiently, while cleaning the condenser coils will help with the conversion process of hot air into cold air that is then circulated throughout your house. Too much grime can cause your condenser coils to freeze, rendering your AC system useless.
Check Your Ductwork
This one can be difficult, so if you need help with this stage, contact a residential AC company for assistance. Remove the air vents and shine a flashlight into your ductwork, looking for any amount of dirt that may have built up on the inside of your ducts. If it looks clean, take a quick look at your utility bills over the last few years as well. While energy rates are increasing nationwide, your usage should stay relatively the same from year to year. If you notice that your usage is going up, that means that there's a problem in your air conditioning system somewhere, and a hole in your air ducts may be the most likely culprit. Make sure you mention this to an HVAC company to ask if they provide any AC services that can help with the situation.
If you're feeling your AC unit is still struggling, even after all these steps, consider reaching out to a local AC service.
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