As the weather starts getting warmer, you may look forward to wearing summer clothes and enjoying some fresh air. One other thing that you must consider is your air conditioner because it has been dormant while the weather was cold. If you do not give your system some TLC before you start using it, you can run into some real trouble. It can either break down on the hottest day of the year or cost a significant amount of money to operate. Including your AC in your spring-cleaning regimen ensures that it can run efficiently, and you can avoid expensive repairs.
The Importance of the Air Filter
Before you do anything else, change out your air filter. A clean filter is vital for good airflow. Over the winter, even when the AC wasn’t running, the filter probably gathered dust, dirt, and pet hair. This buildup makes the air conditioner work much harder to pull air through the system. A dirty filter blocks the air. This causes the AC to run longer and consume more energy.
While you run your AC, check the filter every 30 days. If you notice it is dirty, change it out.
Tidying Up Around the Outside Unit
After changing your filter, check your outdoor condenser unit. This is the portion of your system that sits outside your house and houses the compressor. If plants, grass, and trees crowd this unit, heat will get trapped and cause it to overheat. Trim all trees and shrubs back and allow for at least 2 feet of space on all sides of the condenser. Use the hose to give the unit a gentle spray to remove any leaves and debris that piled up over the winter.
Checking the Drain Line and Vents
Another check you can perform is making sure the condensate drain line is clear. This pipe drains the moisture that the AC removes from the air. If the drainpipe gets clogged with mildew or gunk, that water can back up and create an expensive mess. This is especially true if the leak caused property damage and mold growth. Your AC can even shut off automatically to prevent damage. You can sometimes prevent clogs by pouring a small amount of distilled white vinegar down the drain line a couple of times a season.
You also need to walk through your house and make sure that none of your supply vents or return air grilles are blocked by furniture, rugs, or curtains. Blocked vents can affect how well your AC circulates cool air throughout your home.
While there are some simple tasks that you can perform yourself, there is no substitute for a professional tune-up. An expert can inspect all the complex parts that you cannot see and address problems before they become troublesome and expensive. If you have not done so already, contact Big Sky in Helena, MT for air conditioner maintenance.