6 Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips Every Homeowner Should Know

When summer rolls around, many people often switch from their central heating systems to their central air conditioners.

How should you maintain your air conditioner, to ensure you stay cool in the hot summer months? Take these simple steps to ensure your air conditioner is running well and maximize the performance you get from it.

Follow these six air conditioner maintenance tips to keep your air conditioner in good shape for the summer.

1. Replace air filters regularly

You should replace your air filter every 2-3 months or as recommended by the manufacturer. This helps you get the most out of your air conditioning unit and reduces the risk of it becoming clogged with dirt.

Air filters help improve overall efficiency by reducing the amount of dust and particles that are circulating through the system.

If you have pets or children, consider replacing filters more often as they are more susceptible to allergens than adults.

2. Check electrical components for wear

Inspect your air conditioner’s electrical components regularly to ensure they’re in good working order. The best way to do this is to turn off the power at the circuit breaker box and physically inspect all cords and wires that run into or out of your unit. Ensure there isn’t any visible damage (such as fraying insulation or bare wires) or signs of corrosion on any parts of these wires (such as rust spots).

If you see any problems like this, call an HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) professional right away because they may need to replace damaged parts before they can safely work on your system.

3. Inspect the condenser coils

For HVAC systems, dirty coils are like bad cholesterol: They clog up your system and prevent it from working efficiently. That’s why it’s important to inspect them regularly and clean them when necessary.

You can do this by removing the cover from your outdoor unit and simply wiping down each coil with a damp cloth, or soft brush attachment on an electric vacuum cleaner.

4. Clean ducts, vents, and registers

The inside of your ductwork is just as important as the outside unit itself regarding heating or cooling efficiency. It’s important to vacuum out any dust or grime that may clog up your vents (both inside and outside).

You should also clean out any registers that have accumulated dust. This will help keep air flowing smoothly throughout your home so you don’t have cold spots or areas where hot air collects near windows or doors.

5. Check refrigerant levels regularly

Refrigerant pumps the hot air out of your home and pulls the cool air in. Its levels affect how well your air conditioning unit works—too much or too little refrigerant can cause problems like poor cooling or high energy bills. If you have an older air conditioner, it may need its refrigerant levels checked more often than newer models do.

This is because older systems use less efficient technology that doesn’t use as much refrigerant per unit of energy produced. A qualified technician can check the levels of your unit’s refrigerant for you and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that it’s running at peak efficiency.

6. Schedule an annual air Conditioner maintenance tune-up with an HVAC professional

(HVAC professional working on an air conditioner)

Annual tune-ups will ensure your air conditioner is operating at peak efficiency and keep your home comfortable all year long.

During this appointment, technicians will inspect the unit to identify any potential problems before they become major issues. Such as leaks or other malfunctions, that could cause damage to your home or its occupants if left unattended for too long.

They’ll also clean out any clogs or obstructions in the drain line, so that water isn’t sitting stagnant inside the unit’s internal workings—which can lead to mold growth over time if not handled quickly.

Air Conditioner Maintenance Conclusion

Air conditioners are one of the most important and beneficial appliances in your home. However, if you don’t take care of your air conditioning unit, it can break down or not work as well as it should.

If you want to keep your air conditioner functioning at its peak, consider these tips for proper care and maintenance