You know what the summer heat can do if you leave your air-conditioning unattended. It makes the room suffocate. Your AC unit goes haywire and makes weird sounds while the bill stacks up.

In case you don’t know what to do, you can check the unit if it’s blocked or dirty before calling a pro or purchasing a new one. Check out the following line for more information: https://www.directac123.com/air-conditioner/maintenance/.

Top AC Maintenance Tips

Here are some best AC maintenance tips to survive the summer heat and save yourself from the unpleasantness while keeping your bill low.

1. Change the filter regularly

The easiest thing to do to keep your air conditioner running smoothly and save money on energy bills is to change the filter regularly. Standard filters should be changed every one to three months in most cases.

More frequent changing may be necessary if you have pets or allergies, if someone in your home smokes, or if your AC is used heavily throughout the day and night. How do you know how often to change a filter? This will depend on what kind of filter you buy. Note that MERV ratings are used to measure air filters.

2. Clean your outdoor unit

Remove any debris accumulated around your outdoor unit, including leaves and grass. If you have pets, you may want to keep them away from the outdoor unit, so they don’t leave their droppings behind.

Clean the fins and coils of the outdoor unit with a garden hose. Make sure that you use warm water, as cold water will cause damage to your air conditioner. Take care not to bend the fins while you’re cleaning them; they must be straight to help control temperatures inside your home effectively.

Avoid chemicals when cleaning these air conditioner parts, as they can damage metal components.

3. Keep your AC unit level

It’s important to make sure that your AC unit is level. A unit that’s not level can cause serious problems to your system, including low refrigerant levels, leaks, and even compressor damage.

Follow these steps to check whether your outside AC unit is level:

● Use a standard carpenter’s level on the top of the AC unit where it meets the house. To use a carpenter’s level, place the level on top of the air conditioner and see if there are bubbles between the two lines. If there aren’t bubbles between both lines, it isn’t completely level.

● Use a torpedo or laser-level, which are readily accessible at most home improvement stores. They are simple to use and may be used to inspect any vertical or horizontal surface in your home, not just your AC unit.

4. Clean ducts and vents

One of the best ways to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency is cleaning the ducts and vents. Removing excess dust and debris will make it easier for your AC unit to run, which you’ll notice in the form of lower power bills.

First, remove all dust from exposed surfaces using a wet rag or microfiber cloth. Use a specialized tool such as a vent brush or vacuum hose attachment to clean out ducts and vents. Ensure that you have the right tools for the job, so you don’t damage your HVAC system.

For example, don’t use a vacuum cleaner; instead, opt for a softer brush because its bristles are less likely to damage sensitive parts of the system like fans and blowers. Additionally, don’t forget about return air ducts and vents since they’re often overlooked but are equally important in maintaining good airflow throughout your home.

5. Check for refrigerant leaks

There are two common types of refrigerant leaks: low pressure and high pressure. If the pressure is too low, there is a leak somewhere. If the pressure is too high, it’s not cooling properly and you can end up ruining food from swiggy.

Check for ice or frost on your condenser lines for a leak for either problem. You can also look for oil stains around joints or connections.

If you find a leak, contact an HVAC professional to seal it before charging the refrigerant levels again.

6. Inspect and tighten electrical connections

Inspecting and tightening electrical connections is a basic technique that most people can handle if they are experienced do-it-yourselfers. Here’s how it’s done:

● Turn off the power at the circuit breaker or shut-off switch.

● Confirm that the power is off by touching one of the connections to make sure it is not hot before proceeding, but don’t let your fingers slip.

● Remove any metal covers to access the area where conductors are connected to terminals on contactors, relays, and other components by loosening terminal screws with a screwdriver until they are hand-tight.

● Check all connections for tightness and corrosion before restoring power. If any wiring looks worn or frayed, have it repaired by a heating/cooling professional as soon as possible—don’t try this work yourself.

7. Lubricate moving parts

It’s not ideal to overlook the importance of lubricating your car. Maintenance is crucial for a variety of reasons, especially in the summer. Neglecting lubrication can be dangerous. For example:

If your engine isn’t lubricated properly, it can cause piston rings to wear down and potentially fail. Piston rings are essential for blocking harmful material from leaking into the engine, which could cause serious damage when they break.

8. Check for obstructions

Last winter, did you leave a pile of leaves on your AC unit? Did a raccoon or possum make itself at home in your ductwork? Are there any loose branches encroaching on your unit, or worse, have they fallen on it? These are things you need to check.

Your air conditioner requires proper airflow through the system to function efficiently. Check if anything is blocking the flow of air or compromising the integrity of your system. If you see anything, make sure you remove it as soon as possible.

Final Thoughts

Having a well-maintained air conditioner is one of the best ways to keep your home cool and comfortable during the summer. If you’re experiencing any problem with your AC, it’s a good idea to try these maintenance tips to try to resolve the issue yourself. However, if you’re unable to figure out the issue or solve the problem, your best bet is to contact an HVAC professional.