It was in the 1840s when inventor and physician Dr. John Gorrie suggested cooling cities to relieve its residents of “the evils of high temperatures.”
The Floridian doctor believed that cooling was the answer to fighting diseases like malaria and that it would make patients more comfortable. He soon began to experiment with the idea of building a machine for artificial cooling. And today we use cooling systems all across the world.
And to keep your unit working efficiently, it’s crucial to have an air conditioning maintenance plan in Porter, or wherever else you reside or work.
Every homeowner should have an AC maintenance plan. Do you want to know what that plan should look like? Here’s a guide that will show you how!
Replace Your Filters Regularly
No matter how new or old your HVAC unit is, you’ll still have to monitor and replace its filters from now until the end of time.
The filters are what give you that clean air to breathe. But when those filters are clogged or dirty, they block normal airflow. Plus, dirty filters reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency.
43% of Americans live in areas where they breathe unsafe air, which is why it’s so important we keep the air in our homes clean.
You’ll save money if you replace your filters regularly. In fact, with a new filter, you’ll lower your unit’s energy consumption anywhere from 5 to 15%.
Common filter locations are in ceilings, walls, furnaces, or in the AC itself. Some have reusable types of filters, whereas others must be replaced.
As a rule of thumb, filters should be replaced every 1 to 2 months, especially during hotter months when AC units are used more frequently. If you’re running your unit a lot for your business or as a result of working from home, you may need to replace it more often.
If your home or business is particularly dusty, or if you have pets, it’s likely you’ll have to replace or clean those filters once a month.
Check the Air Conditioning Coils
Your central air conditioner maintenance plan isn’t just about the filter. The condenser coil and the evaporator coil both collect dirt over their many months and years of service.
If you let your filter go too long without being replaced, air will bypass the filter and make its way to the evaporator coil, which will impair its heat-absorbing capacity. Over time, this coil will still collect dirt but switching out filters regularly will prolong this inevitability.
To prolong the life of your AC unit, check your evaporator coil yearly and clean it if need be.
The outdoor condenser coils also retain dirt quickly if the environment outside is dusty, or if there’s lots of foliage or debris. It’s not hard to see the condenser coil and take note of whether or not dirt is collecting on its fins.
You can limit the amount of dirt that makes its way to the coil by cleaning the area around the condenser coil, remove any debris, and keeping foliage and other greenery trimmed. You want to have at least 2 feet around your unit to allow for airflow around the condenser.
Check Coil Fins and Condensate Drains
We mentioned the fins around the condenser coil. Fins around condenser and evaporator coils bend easily, as they’re typically made of tin.
When they bend, they’ll block airflow. You can purchase a “fin comb” tool that combs back to their original positions.
Once in awhile, pass a stiff wire through your unit’s drain channels. If you have clogged drain channels, those clogs will prevent your unit from reducing humidity. As a result, moisture buildup can discolor walls or your carpet.
Look Over Window and Door Seals
Moisture and other wear and tear can loosen up any seals you have around your windows and doors. Check them at the beginning of each season as any openings will drain cold air from your home or business and force your unit to work even harder.
Check for Corrosion and Leaks
HVAC units sometimes develop leaks. Check your connector and drain lines periodically because if your unit develops leaks, it’ll have to work harder, costing you more money in the long run.
Corrosion can happen on any wires or terminals in your system. This corrosion can cause your system to work harder, turn on and off on its own, and eventually shut down completely.
If you’re worried about your unit making it through the rest of another summer, take a look at these common summer AC problems and how to prevent them.
What to Do Right Now
Life is demanding, and thinking about HVAC maintenance might be overwhelming. But there are a few things you can do right now to put yourself ahead.
1. Check the Space Around Your Unit’s Components
Check the space around the indoor and outdoor components of your unit and make sure there are at least 2 feet all around it, especially outdoors.
Clear any debris and cut back any greenery to get it there.
2. Check Your Filter
Buy high-efficiency air filters, so they’re ready to go for the next filter change. Swap one in, and set a reminder for yourself a month into the future to check your filter and potentially swap it out.
3. Check Your Lines for Leaks
Inspect your refrigeration lines for leaks. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so yourself, give a professional a call to take a look for you.
Start an Air Conditioning Maintenance Plan in Porter
Let today be the day that you start your air conditioning maintenance plan in Porter.
At the very least, all you have to do is change your filters regularly. As far as yearly maintenance goes, you can hire a professional to do the work for you and give you peace of mind.
Either way, don’t wait to do so. Taking regular care of your HVAC system will save you time and money in the long run.
Got a leak you need fixing right away? Did you AC stop working suddenly? Give us a call! We offer 24-hour service.
