Spring Is Here: Time To Prep Your Air Conditioner!
With the warm weather on its way, it's time for you to prep your air conditioner. Performing regular spring air conditioning maintenance can help ensure that your air conditioner will be up to the challenge of cooling your home during the warmer weather to come. By performing the following tips and getting an HVAC professional to give your air conditioner a tuneup, you'll know that your air conditioner is ready.
Clean the Condenser
Dirt and debris that builds up inside your condenser can prevent the air conditioner from releasing heat, causing it to run inefficiently and cutting its service life short. Cleaning the condenser is a good project to take on at the end of the winter and beginning of the spring because leaves and other debris can build up inside the condenser over the course of the fall and winter. To clean the condenser, start by sweeping and clearing the area around the air conditioner. Next, cut the power to the air conditioner (you may need to do this at the circuit breaker) and remove the cover from the condenser (you may need a screw driver). Use a shop vacuum to remove as many leaves and bits of dirt out of the condenser as you can.
Finally, spray down the inside of the condenser with a strong jet of water from a hose. This will help remove the last of the dirt. Secure the cover back onto the air conditioner condenser.
Change the Air Filter
While the HVAC's power is still turned off from cleaning the condenser, take time to change the air filter. The air filter is the part of your HVAC system that cleans the air as it circulates. The air filter can be located in different places in the HVAC system, but it is often found in a slot between the air blower and the return air duct. To help ensure effectiveness, the air filter is supposed to be change every 3 months (or more frequently). Letting the HVAC system work with a dirty air filter can make it harder for the HVAC system to do its job. Over time, failure to change the air filter may cause parts of the HVAC system to burn out.
Remove the air filter from the slot between the blower and the return air duct. Take the air filter to a home improvement center or a hardware store, purchase a replacement, then put the replacement in the appropriate slot. When this is done, you can turn back on the power to the HVAC system.
Test the Air Conditioner
Turn on the air conditioner. After it's been running for a minute or two, go to the vents in every room of the house and check to ensure they're blowing cool air. Open any closed vents, then remove furniture pieces and other items. If the air coming out of your air conditioner doesn't feel cool, check the thermostat to ensure it's set properly. If the system seems to be broken, call an air conditioner repair person from a company like Burks Service Company. Performing this maintenance now will ensure that you can get an appointment with the HVAC repair professional before the warm weather arrives.