Air Conditioner Maintenance
Now that you have purchased and installed an AC unit, there are a few things that you need to check from time to time to ensure that the unit serves you diligently.
To bring your energy bill down and prevent recurrent breakdowns which cost you more than you are ready to give up, pay attention to the following maintenance tasks.
Filters
The filter in your AC unit is the backbone of the entire system. You want to check up on it on a routine basis, clean or replace it if need be. Dirty filters will definitely interrupt the normal flow of air into the system. Reduced airflow means reduced efficiency, breakage, and constant freeze-ups.
In any case, you want to ensure that the unit doesn’t get to a point where dirt from the inlet finds its way into the evaporator coil. This will impair the coil’s capacity to absorb heat.
There are numerous classes of filters, and every type has a specific efficiency rating. To optimize performance, regularly clean or have them replaced as per the manufacturer’s recommended filter replacement schedule.
More attention needs to be paid to the AC unit if it runs constantly, or is installed in a house that is near a dirt road. Additionally, if you live with pets, especially the furry kind, you need to check up on the filters frequently.
Coils
Your AC unit is fitted with two coils, both of which are known to attract dirt with continuous use of the AC system. When a coil becomes too dirty, airflow is hampered. The coil then becomes insulated, reducing its efficiency when absorbing or rejecting heat.
Ensure the hot condenser coils and the cool evaporator coils are cleaned at least once every year. Fortunately, if you clean the filters regularly, you need not worry about the coils too much. A clean filter keeps dirt away from evaporator coils.
To enhance airflow even further, get rid of foliage and debris in the coils.
Coil Fins
Coil fins are typically thin aluminum pieces found in the condenser and evaporator coils. They are known to bend easily, making them prone to blockage if they are not straightened out. Get a fin comb, a handy tool that can be used to comb out the fins to their original status.
Condensate Drain
The best way to ensure that the condensate drain line works as intended is to clean it up. This line is connected up to the evaporator coil for the purpose of sufficiently draining water from the unit.
To clean the condensate drain line, use a stiff wire to push out dirt from the drain pipe. Alternatively, blowing into the pipe will do the trick.
Going Beyond Regular Maintenance Tasks
The above steps are great. However, they do not conclusively mean that your AC unit will run without problems. There are some complications that may arise outside the regular maintenance tasks. You want to call a proficient technician to conduct the following tasks.
- Check that the level of refrigerant is correct
- Identify possible leaks
- Measure how smoothly the air is flowing out of the evaporator coil
- Measure the precision level of the thermostat
- Lubricate different motors
- Check for wear and loose-fitting belts
Rice Heating and Air are a full-service AC Contractor headquartered in Alma, AR. The company specializes in air conditioning repair, AC installations, indoor air quality systems, heating repair, and furnace installations. Rice Heating and Air are focused on helping homeowners and businesses staying comfortable year-round. We are your comfort experts.
Call us today for any of your heating and cooling needs.
