Now more than ever, homeowners in the Chicagoland area are always looking for ways to save money and air conditioner maintenance will help save you money now and down the road. Keep your air-conditioner maintained and you’ll not only save money on energy, but you’ll also extend its lifespan, saving money on costly early replacement. The best time period to use these tips is just before each cooling season begins which is now!
Your Heating, Ventilating, and Air-Conditioning system (HVAC) will consist of either a furnace and AC or a heat pump, which both heats and cools. Both types will have an interior unit (evaporator and blower) and an exterior unit (condenser coil and compressor).
5 Easy Steps For Your Whole-Home Air-Conditioner:
Step 1: Turn Off The Power
The dangers of working around electricity and the air-conditioner’s moving parts make it important to completely turn off power to the unit.
Step 2: Remove The Gunk
On the exterior condenser/compressor, remove the fan cage. Using a screwdriver or wrench, remove the fasteners and lift the cage or fan grill away from the top of the unit. Remove any funk or debris such as leaves from the interior.
Step 3: Clean The Fins
By removing the outer covers, you can use a brush attachment on a shop vacuum to remove dirt. Then, using a gentle stream from a garden hose, spray through the fins from the inside out to remove any build-up or debris from between them. Never use a pressure washer as the pressure can damage the fins. A fin cleaning spray available at most home improvement stores may be necessary for tough to clean fins.
Step 4: Straighten The Fins
Since any reduction in air-flow through the fins can reduce efficiency, carefully straighten bent fins using a dull knife or fin-straightening tool available at most home improvement stores. It’s imperative to be gentle so the tubing in the fins doesn’t get damaged in the process.
Step 5: Level The Unit
Over time and especially around newer home construction, the pad upon which the condenser unit sits can begin to tilt as the soil settles beneath it. Al condenser unit that’s not level can cause the compressor within it to fail. Check the condenser for level and use rot-resistant shims to bring it back to level.
If you’re interested in Hobson Plumbing & Heating performing any of your HVAC inspections in order to increase savings, contact us today to schedule an appointment.