6 AC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Maximize Your AC Maintenance: Easy Ways to Boost Comfort & Savings

Famed basketball coach John Wooden is quoted as saying, “Little things make big things happen.” We can find examples of this principle in many settings, but today we will examine small details making a big impact on residential air conditioning and comfort. Forgetting these details can be a very expensive mistake.

Keep Your Cool: 6 AC Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

1. Change the AC Air Filter. The #1 cause for air conditioner repair is a clogged air filter, reducing an AC’s performance. A clogged filter restricts air flow through the evaporator (cooling) chamber and simply reduces the amount of cool air that can blow into the home. Air filters are available in multiple retail establishments. They need to be changed at least quarterly. Use holidays, the change in seasons, or your phone calendar as memory prompts to remind you to change your air filter regularly.

1. Clean the Condenser Unit. The outdoor portion of an air conditioner is called the condenser. It is basically another large air filter. Hot gases run through the network of aluminum tubes that make up the condenser walls. A large fan pulls air through the network to cool the gas, a necessity to avoid complete failure of the system. The small spaces between the tubes and fins collect pollen, dust, and other debris. This “filter” does not need to be changed regularly, but it does need to be cleaned annually. Just remove the covers and use a garden hose to spray the coil until the water is clean.
2. Upgrade the Thermostat. Old, analog thermostats were merely sensors with a switch. When the temperature rose (or fell) below the desired setting, a cooling (or heating) cycle was called for. Modern thermostats are small computer systems that are programmable to adjust the temperature as needed to make the family comfortable 24 hours per day. Smart thermostats take it a step further, using an app to connect the thermostat online. This allows a homeowner to use the app to check on the home’s air conditioner system on the fly and make changes as needed.
3. Improve the R-value of Attic Insulation. The building code allows for the installation of a minimum of 10 inches of insulation in the attic with an R-value of R-30. It might seem like a small detail, but the US Department of Energy’s recommendation for attic insulation in a hot state like Texas is a minimum of 12 inches, with an R-value of R-38. The addition of a few inches of insulation might not seem important, but the improvement of the comfort level in the home is remarkable and will save significant energy.
4. Don’t Neglect Annual Preventive AC Maintenance. Air conditioners are complex mechanical systems that need regular maintenance to function properly. As mentioned above, dirt and dust cause damage and decrease air conditioning function. The refrigerant gas that does the bulk of the cooling is kept at high pressure, and even an extremely small hole will allow all the refrigerant gas to leak out. The whole system is controlled by sensitive electronic sensors, switches, and control mechanisms, which experience stress and wear.
5. Don’t Ignore Needed AC Repairs. When an air conditioner problem develops and a repair is identified, the cost may be prohibitive, but the problem will not go away by itself. Delaying the repair can cause further damage, so the repair is generally less expensive than replacement of the air conditioner system.

Smart Homeowners Know: AC Maintenance Saves You Money & Headaches

When it comes to your home’s comfort and your wallet, consistent AC maintenance is one of those crucial “little things” that yields big returns. Don’t overlook annual preventive AC maintenance or delay needed repairs—these seemingly small efforts ensure your system runs smoothly for years to come. 

For professional AC maintenance and repairs you can trust, contact AirPro Houston. We have several financing options available with great options. Up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at 281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your Cypress AC repair and maintenance needs.