Spring has arrived, bringing warmer weather and giving us all the perfect excuse for a little refreshing around the house. As homeowners, one area we should focus on is our air conditioners. Regularly maintaining your air conditioning unit can give you fresher indoor air, keep your energy bills down, and extend the lifespan of your A/C significantly.
With that in mind, here's a step-by-step guide to help you spring clean your air conditioner this season so you can maximize its performance.
Cleaning Your Central Air Conditioner
Cleaning your central air conditioning system is not as daunting as it sounds. Really! With a few basic tools and supplies, you’ll ensure your A/C system is ready to keep you cool and comfortable for another summer.
First, turn the unit off, then vacuum around the compressor with an outdoor-safe vacuum. Next, use a soft brush attachment on the vacuum to carefully clean each fin and remove any dust or debris that might have gathered.
Knowing how to clean your air conditioner coils will also help your system work at peak performance. To clean your air conditioner coils, gently spray the fins of the compressor using a concentrated coil cleaner (which you can find at most hardware stores). Then simply wipe or rinse off. Finally, we like to clean the remaining surfaces of the outdoor unit with a damp cloth.
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How to Clean an Air Conditioner Filter
Cleaning or replacing your air conditioner filters is a great spring-cleaning to-do; if you live in a warmer part of the country and run your A/C more often, you should clean or change your filters every three months or so.
First, you need to find them. For many homeowners, the air filter is adjacent to the HVAC air handler – that’s the metal box that houses the fan and fan motor. Other setups may have the filter on a wall inside your house, or behind each return grill. Check your A/C manual to be sure.
Depending on the type of filter and the shape it’s in, you may be able to vacuum and rinse it off (warm water and mild soap can help, too) or simply purchase a new one. Hint: If you immediately recoil in horror upon inspecting yours, it’s probably time for a replacement.
What Happens If You Don’t Clean Your Air Conditioner Filter?
Not cleaning your air conditioner filter is sure to make your wallet feel the heat - as well as your home.
Filters can get clogged with dust and dirt over time, which can impede airflow and cause the unit to work harder than necessary. A clogged filter not only means less energy efficiency for your A/C unit but can also decrease air quality due to all those nasty little dust particles unleashed into the room.
Not only will the air become stuffy and uncomfortable, but you may also find yourself sneezing more than usual if the problem persists.
The good news? Taking a few minutes to occasionally clean or replace your filter can help keep these issues from spiraling out of control.
Does Your Central Air Unit Need More than Cleaning?
Following the steps above should help keep your system running optimally, meaning you won't be left in a sticky, uncomfortable situation.
But sometimes, your A/C needs a little more TLC. Homeowners in the Hodgenville, KY area have trusted Allen’s Air Conditioning for more than 60 years with their maintenance and installation needs. Request service today, or call (270) 946-1525.