We rely on our air conditioners to keep our homes cool and comfortable all summer long. There is nothing worse than an air conditioner not cooling correctly on the hottest summer day. Preventative HVAC maintenance is the key to keeping your air conditioner running. Check out our five air conditioner maintenance DIY tips to keep your home comfortable all summer long.
The Importance of Air Conditioner Maintenance
An air conditioner not blowing cold air can create an uncomfortably hot home, and can suck the joy right out of your family’s summer. However, preventative maintenance can lessen the likelihood of a sudden air conditioner emergency.
Three of the most common questions we hear are:
- “Do air conditioners need maintenance?”
- “Do I need HVAC maintenance?”
- “Is air conditioner maintenance necessary?”
The answer to all of the above questions is a resounding YES!
HVAC maintenance and/or air conditioner maintenance is actually key to preventing such a hot and uncomfortable problem from occurring during the summer.
How often should you maintenance air conditioner?
So how often does HVAC need maintenance? And, how often does air conditioner need maintenance? Experts recommend having HVAC systems and air conditioners being fully maintainanced by a professional twice a year. Along with scheduling professional maintenance visits, here are five air conditioner maintenance DIY tips to keep your home comfortable this summer.
What maintenance should I do on my air conditioner?
Fall is the perfect time to give your air conditioner a little TLC. After a long summer of running non-stop, your AC unit could use a tune-up to prepare it for the cool months ahead.
How can I service my air conditioner myself?
Here are a few air conditioner maintenance tips to help you get started:
Replace HVAC Filter
This AC maintenance tip is probably one of the easiest to complete, yet also the most likely to be overlooked: Checking and replacing your HVAC filter or changing the air filter.
Follow these easy steps to replace your HVAC filter.
Ensuring your air conditioner has a clean filter will help it to run efficiently through this summer, helping to prevent a sudden occurrence of your HVAC not cooling.
How do I maintain my outside AC unit? Clean the Air Conditioner Condenser Coils
Keeping the filters of your AC unit clean inside your home is just as important as keeping the outside of your AC unit clean. Clean air conditioner condenser coils will prevent issues such as your air conditioner not cooling or your HVAC not blowing cold air. Make sure to clear any debris from the air conditioner coils, especially large build-ups like bird nests, weeds, or vines. If your AC is running loud, this step is especially important.
Follow these simple steps to clean your outside AC unit and condenser coils.
Clean condenser coils will not only assist in maximizing your air conditioner’s efficiency, but it also helps in preventing malfunctions like your HVAC not blowing cold air, or your HVAC not working at all.
Check the Ductwork
The ductwork inside your home is the key to evenly circulating your home’s air conditioning. If your ductwork is damaged or obstructed, it can contribute to your air conditioner not working, and your HVAC not cooling your home evenly.
Check for damage to your HVAC and ductwork:
- Thoroughly walk around the living area of your home, locating all vents and registers.
- Ensure there is nothing obstructing air flow. Commonly overlooked issues include rugs or furniture mistakenly being placed over these areas.
- Visually inspect the ductwork in your attic. The ductwork should have no holes, the seams and connections should be sealed tightly, and all ductwork should be insulated and in good working order.
Check the Thermostat
This air conditioner maintenance DIY may seem too simple to be true, but a thermostat that isn’t working correctly can cause various issues. Is your air conditioner not blowing cold air? Is your HVAC not working properly? The answer may simply be an issue with your thermostat.
Follow our simple step-by-step guide on how to test your home thermostat and pinpoint the problem.
HVAC Maintenance Plan
The most important step to keeping your home cool all summer long is having your air conditioning system fully maintenanced by an expert twice a year.
- Each year your AC compressor is not professionally cleaned, its efficiency decreases by approximately 5%.
- After just four years without regular professional maintenance, you will pay close to 20% more on utilities.
- Plus, a dirty compressor significantly reduces your HVAC system’s life expectancy, which can lead to sudden issues with your air conditioner not cooling, or your HVAC not working at all.
These sudden, costly repairs can be prevented. Consider looking into Dependable HVAC’s Maintenance Plans for affordable, professional, and thorough preventative maintenance to keep your air conditioner cooling all summer long.
