A good air conditioning system can be one of the best investments you make for your house. It makes your home livable during the summer and adds to its overall comfort during other seasons. An air conditioning system bought in good shape can last a very long time, up to decades if taken care of. To that end, at Bear Valley Plumbing and Heating have put together some air conditioner maintenance tips.
Like any other piece of electronics, an air conditioning system requires proper care for you to get your money’s worth. Occasional servicing, fixing faults before they escalate and replacing parts as needed will make your air conditioner worth its value. To take proper care of your air conditioner, you must gain some rudimentary understanding of the HVAC system and how it works. You can know more about this by consulting Bear Valley air conditioning experts.
What You Need To Know About Your HVAC System
The HVAC system has both heating and cooling mechanisms. These mechanisms could be either a furnace and AC or a heat pump. The latter does both functions of heating and cooling. The two types have interior units and exterior units. While the interior unit consists of the evaporator and the blower, the exterior unit has the condenser coil and compressor.
All of the parts need to be adequately maintained to improve the working and lifespan of the system. You can do most of the HVAC repair and maintenance by yourself with little skill or knowledge required. However, you should call experts at least once a year or when there is a significant fault with your HVAC. If you have your home or office around Bear Valley, you can hire Bear Valley Air Conditioning Experts to help you maintain your air conditioning unit.
For proper maintenance of your air conditioning system, here are some air conditioner maintenance tips that will help you.
10 Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
You can care for the air conditioning system systematically by caring for different parts at different times. Some of these tips will also teach you how to care for your HVAC as a whole. Three of the parts that require the most maintenance are the coils, filters and fins. Therefore, the maintenance tips for these parts will come first.
1. Clean the Air Filters
To enjoy your air conditioning system and its full use, you should often clean your air filters. Dirty or clogged air filters block the airflow and reduce the system’s efficiency. When the airflow is obstructed, the air that manages to get through may carry dirt into the evaporator coil and spoil the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity. Experts also opine that a clogged filter increases your air conditioner’s energy consumption. Unfortunately, that is how the electricity bill racks up!
To enjoy your air conditioning system and its full use, you should often clean your air filters. Dirty or clogged air filters block the airflow and reduce the system’s efficiency. When the airflow is obstructed, the air that manages to get through may carry dirt into the evaporator coil and spoil the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity. Experts also opine that a clogged filter increases your air conditioner’s energy consumption. Air conditioner maintenance tips that also help you save money on your energy bill are a double win.
It would help if you clean the air filters at least once a month. Your air conditioning system’s filter may need more attention if the system is always in use, placed in a dusty environment, or you have furred pets. Also, when you see that the air filters are no longer working well, you can change them. If you do not know how to clean or replace the air filters, you can get Bear Valley Air Conditioning Experts to help you with it. We know how best to care for your HVAC and know the best types of filters for every air conditioning system.
2. Clean the Coils
The coils are also essential when it comes to air conditioning system maintenance. The air conditioner’s coils and evaporators collect dirt over time. This dirt obstructs airflow and reduces the coils’ ability to absorb heat. The condenser coils can also become dirty if the environment of the outdoor unit is dusty. Therefore, you should clean the coils every year and keep foliage away from them.
If you do not know how to do this yourself, you can get help through Bear Valley Air Conditioning Experts. They know all there is to maintaining HVAC systems and will guide you through.
2. Straighten the Fins
The fins on the condenser coils and evaporator tend to bend easily and block airflow through the coil. Whenever you notice this, you should straighten them. You can do this by yourself or get Bear Valley air conditioning experts to do it for you. That way, you can ensure that your air conditioner keeps working at its best and lasts a long time.
4. Remove Dirt from the Unit
Your air conditioning unit can easily attract dirt from the surroundings. These specks of dirt can impede the functionality of your air conditioning system. Therefore, you must remove dirt from the unit as well as surrounding environments. Trim the grasses around and rake the leaves away.
5. Clear the Drains
Pass a stiff wire through the drain channels to free it up from clogging. Clogged channels make it difficult for the unit to reduce humidity. The excess moisture from the clogged drains may also discolour the walls or carpet. The drain channels are on the outside part of the unit. You can inspect it within a couple of minutes. You can also clean the drains by flushing it with a cup of bleach. In case the channel is already clogged, you can get such mold away with a vacuum cleaner.
People in California can get Bear Valley Air Conditioning Experts to help them with this or to do a general check-up of their unit.
6. Ensure the Condenser is Level
The position of the condenser needs to be level. The weight of the condenser may dip the earth if it stays in a spot for a long time. Also, if the condenser unit is out of level, it may cause the condenser to break down. The solution to this is to use rot-resistant shims to keep the level balanced.
7. Position the Condenser in a Cool Spot
While the condenser is outside, ensure that you protect it from the elements. It is imperative to protect it from the sun as regular heat can wear on it over time. You can avert this problem if you place your condenser in a cool spot. To prevent having to adjust the position over the years, get Bear Valley Air Conditioning Experts to help you install your unit. They will look for the best available spot that will provide the necessary protection from the weather.
8. Prepare for Each Season Appropriately
The best time to fix faults in your AC is before the beginning of a new season. It is much better to do this before the spring season. It is also crucial to do some check-ups before the summer when using the air conditioning system most of the time. Then, when winter comes, you can clean your unit up and give it a long break. This beginning of a new season is the best time to get professionals like Bear Valley Air Conditioning Experts to help you do a thorough check-up on your unit.
9. Give Your AC a Break
While still on the subject of giving your air conditioning system a break, we must state a critical point. Giving your air conditioning system a break will improve its efficiency and life span. Part of giving it a break includes:
- Using a smart/programmable thermostat;
- Turn off the power when not in use;
- Use heavy drapes to block out solar heat;
- Use a ceiling fan to supplement;
- Reduce the use of heat-producing appliances during the day;
- Use your AC properly;
- Close all doors and windows when the system is on;
- Fix any leaks in your windows, doors and attic.
10. Service Your Air Conditioner Annually and/or As Needed
Servicing your air conditioning system requires you to hire a professional to help you look over the system. You can do this annually or more often. If you live in Bear Valley or around it, you can contact Bear Valley Air Conditioning Experts to help you service your air conditioning system. The expert will:
- Check the amount of refrigerant;
- Test if the refrigerant is leaking using a leak detector;
- Gather any refrigerant that has evacuated from the AC, rather than release it illegally into the atmosphere;
- Check for duck leakages in the central system and seal them if there is any;
- Measure the airflow through the evaporator coil;
- Check the electric control sequence and ensure that it is set correctly. The heating system and cooling system cannot operate concurrently;
- Check the electric terminals, clean and tighten the connections, and apply a non-conductive coating if need be;
- Check belts for tightness and wear and oil the motors;
- Ensure that the thermostat is accurate.
Advantages of Maintaining Your Air Conditioning System
HVAC repair and maintenance has a lot of advantages for you in the short and long run. Some of those advantages are that it:
Saves Money
The irony of the situation is that the more money you spend maintaining your air conditioning system, the more you save. By paying a few dollars on replacing some parts, you save the cost of buying a new unit if your current one breaks down. Also, it is not often that you spend money on maintaining your air conditioner. Sometimes, all needed is a few minutes or hours per month to keep it in top shape.
Saves Time
The half-hour to one hour you spend every month looking over your air conditioning system is nothing compared to how long you would have to pay if the system breaks down and you have to fix it. From spending several hours trying to know what is wrong with it, the time only gets longer. You have to spend more time separating faulty parts, buying spare parts and then fixing them.
Extends the Lifespan
The major advantage of maintaining your air conditioning system is that you extend its lifespan. A lot of people use their air conditioners for decades and still keep using them. However, you can only achieve this kind of longevity with proper and regular maintenance. If you want your air conditioner to last longer, visit Bear Valley Air Conditioning Experts to educate you on how to prolong the lifespan of your HVAC system.
Keeps you Healthy
Keeping your air conditioning system clean is not only good for your pocket but also for your health. Dirty air conditioning systems can lead to the growth of microorganisms such as mold. The presence of mold can worsen health conditions such as allergies and asthma.
Reach Out To Us Today!
These air conditioner maintenance tips will help you enjoy your air conditioner to its maximum potential, saving you money and stress. For the maintenance you can’t do by yourself, contact our Bear Valley air conditioning experts. We are available 24/7 in the Bear Valley area.
If you are looking for a Big Bear plumbing, heating & air conditioning contractor, please call (909) 584-4376 or complete our online request form.
Category: HVAC Maintenance & Repair
