Summer is here, and your air conditioner is enduring a lot of stress. It’s the busy season for your AC, which is when it needs some TLC the most. Let’s run through a list for summer AC maintenance so you can be as prepared as possible.
- Replace the air filter: The air filter in your air conditioner’s intake isn’t something that only gets changed during yearly maintenance. In fact, it needs to be changed every 30-90 days depending on which type of filter it is, and how much use it gets.
- Clean air ducts: While this doesn’t have to happen every summer, it’s important to clean your air ducts every 3-5 years (depending on use). It’s not about air quality–it’s about air resistance and what it can do to your AC’s efficiency.
- Check your thermostat: If your thermostat isn’t calibrated properly, it can send incorrect information to your AC. It could tell it to shut down while the room is still too warm, or it could signal to get as cold as possible and freeze your evaporator coil. Either end of the spectrum isn’t good. Make sure it’s calibrated.
- Get air duct testing: Air leaks happen when small holes or disconnections in your air ducts impede upon your AC’s efficiency. Air is leaking, so the pressure in the tubing isn’t right, and that means your air conditioner has to work harder than normal to cool your home. That, and you spend more money on energy bills.
- Clean the outdoor AC cabinet: Debris can get clogged in your AC cabinet, and cause it to mess up operation. While it’s fixable, it’s a problem you definitely don’t want to have if you can avoid it.
- Clear out the condensate line: Condensation comes out of your AC and through this tube, which pushes it outside. When this line gets clogged (usually with debris, mold, or mildew), it can back up into your air conditioner and cause damage. It also results in evaporator coil freezing, which can cause some serious damage to your AC.
Beyond Maintenance, Try These Upgrades
If you want to improve the efficiency of your air conditioner while you’re already in the maintenance mindset, here are two big changes you can make that have lasting effects.
- Upgrade to a smart thermostat: Smart thermostats allow you to set and forget the temperature because it learns what you like and auto-adjusts the temperature accordingly. These can help you save loads in energy efficiency-related costs.
- Use a HEPA filter: If indoor air quality is a concern and you don’t already have an IAQ system set up, upgrading to a HEPA filter for your air conditioner can help you breathe a little easier. Just make sure you get the right kind for your AC.
And Now You Know
There are so many working parts in your air conditioner that rely on one another, so it’s important to make sure every working part has its necessary support. Make sure you have annual recurring maintenance from certified HVAC technicians so you don’t have a thing to worry about as the year goes on.
Contact Crown Group Ohio today to schedule your AC maintenance as soon as possible.