If you’re like many homeowners, your air conditioner is an appliance you don’t think about very much unless problems arise. Then, suddenly your world feels turned upside down, and if the issues occur during the summer, your home may quickly become unbearably stuffy.
Some types of preventative air conditioner maintenance should be left up to professionals. For these more complex jobs look for AC repair in Spokane Valley or similar repair services near you and let the experts do the hard work for you. However, there are also numerous things you can do between appointments for air conditioning service.
Tend to Your Air Filter
Your air conditioner’s filter is one of the easiest things to maintain, yet many people forget to do it. First, determine whether your filter is one you just need to clean, or a type that gets disposed of and replaced. If it’s the latter type, try to always keep a few extra on hand so you never run out.
Then, make sure you take the appropriate action on a regular schedule. During times when you use your air conditioner frequently, see to the filter monthly, and once per season during periods when you’re not regularly using the air conditioner to cool the home.
Periodically Check the Wiring
Keep a close eye on the wiring associated with the air conditioner. It’s one attribute of air conditioning units that is often overlooked, but by taking a proactive approach, you might avoid expensive hassles caused by faulty wires.
Before touching any wires, always turn off the power source for the unit to prevent electrocution. Then, take off the access panel and check to see if any wires appear to have overheated at any point. Look at the contactor switch as well and see if you detect excessive pitting.
If you notice anything that looks strange, contact an HVAC professional right away. It’s better to have potential problems diagnosed promptly rather than just ignoring something you spot and possibly dealing with the aftermath later.
Wash Outdoor Units
As time passes, outdoor air conditioning units tend to get covered by fallen leaves, dirt, and pine needles. That’s why it’s smart to carefully clean them using tools you probably already own.
After turning off the power to the unit, take off all metal casing surrounding the unit with a screwdriver. Then get out your garden hose and wash the unit using a low-pressure spray. It’s especially important to be gentle when you’re cleaning the metal fins on the AC unit because they could easily get bent.
Although the above steps are what you should do to perform a very basic cleaning, it’s smart to get a professional to do the job if you’re dealing with a severe buildup of debris. After your outdoor air conditioning unit is thoroughly cleaned, you should notice a difference in how cool your home feels.
Form a Relationship With HVAC Experts
Do you currently use the services of experienced HVAC technicians? If not, now is the time to find a company in your area that offers trustworthy service. An air conditioning specialist can perform annual servicing to prolong the lifespan of your unit and spot warning signs before they turn into major fiascoes.
Hopefully it’s now clear that you need to be on top of air conditioner maintenance, and it’s not hard to do. Start making maintenance a priority today to keep your home cool when temperatures rise.