Air Conditioner Maintenance That Must Be Done on a Regular Basis

With proper Air Conditioner Maintenance, the average lifespan of an air conditioner is 15 to 20 years, but you try never to be average at anything. Normally, if an air conditioner is below average in useful life, it is because of poor Air Conditioner Maintenance.

If you want to extend the life of your air conditioner, here are five simple Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips to help you maintain your air conditioner.

Indoor Air Conditioner Maintenance

1 Change Your Air Filter Regularly

Dirt is enemy #1; this is the common theme concerning maintaining any mechanic system. The air filter removes dust, pollen, and dander with every blower cycle. However, the dust accumulates on the folds of the filter and after a few months, the dust reduces the airflow through the filter.

For most homes, the air filter should be changed every three months, but you know your home—it might need to be changed more often. Set a calendar reminder and stay on top of it.

2 Clean Your Ductwork Regularly

When the blower cycle stops, gravity takes over and airborne particles begin to settle. The dust accumulates inside of your ducts and contributes to poor indoor air quality. The dust will also make its way to other key components and cause stress, leading to premature failure. Schedule ductwork cleaning every three to five years to take the dust out of your home.

Outdoor Air Conditioner Maintenance

The condenser unit is the powerhouse of your air conditioner and needs a little Air Conditioner Maintenance TLC.

3 Let Your Condenser Breathe

The refrigerant gas is used to transfer heat—during the cooling season, it transfers heat from inside the house to the outside. The gas is extremely hot when it reaches the condenser unit and needs to cool quickly. The condenser is designed to do just that; the cabinet consists of a network of copper or aluminum tubes with thin fins to dissipate the heat.

A fan in the center moves air quickly through the network. That is unless air cannot move freely around the condenser. Visually check the vicinity of the condenser unit to make sure shrubs or tall grass have not grown within three feet of the cabinet. Watch for limbs and leaves that might blow up against the base. Remember to keep the air moving.

4 Clean The Coils Thoroughly

Keeping the space surrounding the cabinet clean is the first step. The second step is to clean the spaces between the coils of tubing to cool the gas properly. Dust and debris can blow into the tiny gaps and reduce the airflow.

Failure to cool the refrigerant gas will cause the compressor to overheat. Avoid this catastrophic failure by cleaning the coils with a common garden hose. Gently spray the coils with water to flush the spaces clean. This is a simple task to complete and should be completed annually at your convenience.

5 Straighten Fins as Needed

Occasionally something comes in contact with the fins of the condenser cabinet and bends the fins over. When this happens, it reduces the airflow and prolongs the cooling process. Not good! Not good at all. But you can solve this with a wire brush and some gentle hand.

Remember that the tubes are made of copper or aluminum and the metal is pretty soft, so gently brush the fins back into place. Too much pressure and the fins will be bent in the opposite direction.

Is it time for your next Air Conditioner Maintenance Appointment?

With our four decades of experience as an Air Conditioner Maintenance contractor, AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise to assist with HVAC Maintenance and answer questions about your AC system.

We have several financing options available with great options with 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 Air Conditioner Tune Up maintenance, repair, and installation needs.