A few months ago, my air conditioner completely died. I woke up in the middle of the night covered in sweat, and I didn't know what to do. The next day, I called an HVAC expert, and they came out to inspect my system. It turned out that it had failed because of filthy filters and a clogged return duct, which made me sick to my stomach. I had caused the problem, and I needed to learn how to fix things. My HVAC professional taught me a few easy maintenance techniques that I didn't know before, so that I could maintain my new system. Check out this blog to learn more about HVAC yourself.
When warm spring weather returns, it's time to get your air conditioner ready for another season of heavy use. While you'll want to hire an HVAC contractor to tune up your unit, there are a couple of things you can do on your own. Here are the steps for spring cleaning your air conditioner.
Clean The Indoor Unit
One of the most important things you can do for your air conditioner is to replace the filter when it needs it. Put in a new filter each spring and then change it every month or two, depending on how much you run your unit. You should also clean out the air vents to get rid of dust bunnies. You can remove the outer panel and run a vacuum wand inside the unit to remove dust and spider webs. Just don't remove the inner panel, because that's where the mechanical and electrical components are housed. The inner panel should only be removed by the HVAC contractor.
Clean The Outdoor Condenser
Be sure to flip off the power to your unit before you clean the condenser. The condenser is the big unit that sits outside your home. It collects a lot of debris from dirt and leaves over the course of the year, so you want to clean it out annually. You may be tempted to cover it with a tarp to keep it clean over the winter, but that's not a good idea. The tarp will hold in moisture that leads to rust. Plus, it will create an inviting home for mice, which is the last thing you want. Instead, just plan on cleaning the condenser in the spring.
To start, unscrew the top grill which is attached to the fan blade. Lift it up so you can reach inside the unit. Use a vacuum hose to suck out all the leaves, dirt, and debris. You can also use the vacuum to clean the fins. If the vents and vents on the side of the condenser are clogged with dirt, you can clean them with a water hose instead. Just place the hose inside the condenser and point the spray to the outside, so the debris you knock loose lands outside of your air conditioner. When you're finished, replace the top grill. Wash the fan blades first if they need it.
Cleaning your air conditioner is important because dirt and dust can clog up the mechanical parts or they can create an obstruction to airflow. Calling a contractor to service the inside of your HVAC is just as important. The contractor will lubricate parts, check and fill the refrigerant, and replace worn parts. With these chores done, your air conditioner is ready to take on the hot days of summer and you won't have to worry about it breaking down and leaving you hot and miserable.
For more information, contact Advanced Heating & Cooling or a similar company.
Share28 September 2015
