Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips < Return
Your air conditioner runs so well and the cool air feels so good that you may be tempted to forget about the importance of air conditioning (A/C) maintenance. DON’T. Neglecting regular professional maintenance on your air conditioning system now will lead to potentially serious and costly repairs later.PLUS…
Without regular A/C maintenance, your air conditioner loses 5% efficiency each year of operation. This reduced efficiency is not a small concern. Lower efficiency leads to reduced cooling power and increased electric bills. The good news? Studies show that regular A/C servicing can help you retain 95% percent of your system’s original efficiency.
The very best way to keep your A/C unit running at peak efficiency is to have annual maintenance performed by a professional A/C servicing contractor.
During the maintenance, your A/C contractor may perform some or all of the following tasks:
- Oiling fan motors
- Testing belt adjustments
- Cleaning condenser unit coils
- Checking the refrigerant levels
- Cleaning evaporator
- Inspecting the ductwork for leaks which can lessen the efficiency of the air conditioner
- Inspecting the thermostat
- Verifying the airflow
- Inspecting the electrical terminals
- Any other maintenance tasks that your A/C servicer deems necessary
But you shouldn’t just rely on the annual visits from your A/C contractor to keep your air conditioning system running efficiently. There are some easy steps that you can take to help keep your A/C system running at peak efficiency.
You should also keep the outside unit of your A/C system clean of any debris or any other obstructions (such as bushes) that can cause your A/C system to work harder. Finally, keep all supply outlets for air conditioning open. Although many people close certain supply outlets to amplify the cooling in a specific part of the house, this practice almost always damages the overall efficiency of your A/C system.
The most important personal A/C maintenance step you can take it to buy good quality filters and change them frequently. In general, you should check the filters once-a-month for any dust and debris buildup and change them as needed. Dirty filters can significantly reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner.
With a combination of professional and personal A/C maintenance, you can keep your system running at peak efficiency and extend the life of your system—giving you many years of cooling pleasure!
