The cooling system is essential in any home. Whether you have a whole-house or one-room model, such as a wall ac unit the air conditioning (AC) system is indispensable in keeping your home comfortable throughout the year. As a hard-working element, it requires regular maintenance. Hence, being familiar with tips on keeping your AC in top shape is crucial. Whether it would require routine servicing, repairs, or replacement, it should be one of your priorities as a homeowner.
Although there are certain things you cannot prevent that could lead to the breaking down of your AC unit, there are routine tasks you can do to ensure your unit stays in good working order. One way to ensure your AC unit stays functional is by working with a reliable professional. It would be best to check out reliable providers of ac repair in Berryville, VA, so you’ll have comfort knowing your unit is in capable hands.
If you want to maintain the overall efficiency of your air conditioning unit and keep your home comfortable at all times, here are several valuable tips to keep your AC unit in good shape.
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Keep Your Unit Clean
One of your primary tasks as a homeowner is to keep your air conditioning unit clean. Pay meticulous attention to the unit’s fins, which you can clean using a soft-bristled brush. Since the fins are fragile, they can be easily crushed or bent. In most models, it might require you to unscrew a metal box to access the fins.
When cleaning the fins, use a soft-bristled brush together with a foam cleanser to thoroughly reach the area in between to remove any dirt or debris buildup.
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Unclog The Condensate Drain Tube
Once the water starts to pool near your unit, you likely have a clogged condensate drain tube. Remember that the condensate contains bacteria and can form slime.
You can unclog the condensate drain by inserting a stiff wire through the drain channels of your AC unit once in a while.
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Change The Filter
As one of the tips on keeping your air conditioners in top shape, it’s essential to change the air filters regularly. Ideally, you need to check the filter every six months if there’s a buildup of debris or dirt. Doing so will ensure you’ll have clean air within your home.
You have the option to clean the filter or replace it with a new one, if necessary, but it depends on the model you have since you can clean some filters while others need replacement.
After thoroughly cleaning or replacing a dirty or clogged filter, it can significantly reduce the overall energy consumption.
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Check The Air Conditioner Coils
The coils of the air conditioning unit play a crucial role. The coils are responsible for allowing heat exchange and delivering cool air to your home. If you want your unit to work optimally throughout the year, the coil requires regular servicing.
Remember that dirt can still build up on the coils even if the filters are clean or brand new. Any buildup of dirt and debris diminishes the airflow and insulates the coil, causing a drop in its capability to absorb heat. In the long run, it can interfere with the heat exchange process. As part of routine maintenance, you need to inspect the coils now and then to ensure they’re clean.
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Consider A Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is now a must-have if you want to maintain your home’s comfortable environment and energy efficiency. It can also assist in improving the performance and lifespan of your unit.
A programmable thermostat allows you to set the temperature during specific times throughout the day. This helpful feature saves you the inconvenience of constantly adjusting the temperature in your home. Hence, the automated settings will efficiently keep the cooling under control.
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Inspect The Ductwork
You can prevent your air conditioning unit from straining and maintaining a comfortable temperature in your home by ensuring all the windows and doors have adequate seals.
Carefully inspect all the ductwork now and then to ensure proper sealing. Once a section of the ductwork doesn’t have an adequate seal, the cool air will escape before reaching your home. When the ductwork is free of any perforations, it dramatically minimizes the amount of cool air that escapes, preventing your unit from straining.
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Consult A Yearly Tune-Up With A Professional
If you lack time to perform routine maintenance for your AC unit or want a thorough job, consider scheduling a yearly tune-up with a professional.
A routine maintenance check or tune-up typically includes various tests to ensure the unit’s internal components are working correctly, along with an inspection of the filter and changing the refrigerant if necessary. Additionally, the technician will also clean the drain and thoroughly clean the unit, both inside and out.
Final Thoughts
Whether you have a whole-house cooling system or a window-type air conditioner, it’s crucial to take the necessary measures to keep it in good working order. Regular maintenance will always play a role in keeping it efficient throughout the years, but hiring a professional is also a good move if you lack time. With the help of these valuable tips on how to keep your air conditioner in top shape, your air conditioner will stay efficient and keep your home comfortable all year round.
