Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

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!