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Air Conditioner Maintenance Tasks Any Homeowner Can Handle

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Air Conditioner Maintenance Tasks Any Homeowner Can HandleWith the weather warming up, it’s time to switch from the furnace to the air conditioner. Have you given the A/C any attention since you switched it off last fall? If not, now’s the time to schedule air conditioner maintenance with a professional. In addition, follow these tips throughout the summer to keep your cooling system running well until fall.

Replace the Air Filter

This is the single most important air conditioner maintenance task homeowners can perform. Your furnace and air conditioner share the same filter, so plan to check it once a month throughout the year and change it when it appears dirty, waiting no longer than three months between changes.

Clean the Outdoor Condensing Unit

Dust, leaves and grass clippings get caught in the unit’s fins, hampering airflow. Hose the unit down every month or so to remove debris. Straighten any bent fins you come across with a fin comb. Keep plants trimmed back as well so they don’t restrict airflow.

Check the Evaporator Coil

If it becomes dirty between formal visits from a professional, vacuum it with a brush attachment. You can remove caked on dust and grime with commercial foaming agent.

Clear Out the Condensate Drain

Moisture collects on the evaporator coil and drips into a pan where it drains outside. If the drain becomes clogged, the water could back up into your home. To ensure the drain stays clear, pass a stiff wire through it once or twice this summer. You can also clear the line by pouring a vinegar and water solution down the condensate drain.

Unblock Return and Supply Registers

Make sure furniture, rugs, curtains and other obstructions aren’t blocking return registers. Then keep at least 80 percent of your home’s supply registers open to prevent unbalancing the system.

Don’t Wrap the Condenser in the Fall

A tightly wrapped unit is likely to corrode due to water trapped inside. To prevent objects from falling into the condenser, place plywood on top and weigh it down with bricks.

To learn more about the importance of regular air conditioner maintenance, please contact The Furnace Company.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Edmonton, Alberta about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about evaporator coils and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “kurhan/Shutterstock”

The post Air Conditioner Maintenance Tasks Any Homeowner Can Handle appeared first on The Furnace Company Blog.


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