For your air conditioner to last long and function efficiently, you need to take good care of it. If you are new with air conditioners, here are expert tips on how to service the appliance as given by air conditioning repair services providers:
Keep the coils clean.
The AC coils and fins on the outside need to be clean and clear of obstructions for your appliance to function optimally. Unfortunately, leaves and other debris accumulate inside the unit and clog it.
When the appliance has obstructions, it works harder than it should, consuming a lot of energy. An obstructed appliance also tends to keep on failing.
To keep it in top shape, clean it regularly using a broom or garden hose. Avoid using a pressure washer as the strong spray could harm the system.
Change the air filters.
Air filters are one of the most vital parts of an air conditioner. When you keep them running smoothly, you significantly reduce your burden on the system. Since the filter controls the quality of air getting into the house and into the air conditioner, when the filters are dirty, the air conditioner works harder. In some cases, it breaks down, and you have to pay a hefty amount to fix it.
To keep your unit in top shape all the time, change the air filters regularly. Thankfully, the filters are easy to remove and clean—you can even do the work yourself without requiring the services of a professional.
To ensure the filters are clean and in top shape all the time, make a habit of inspecting and cleaning them regularly. Experts recommend you replace the air filters at least once every three months, even if you don’t use your unit too often.
When choosing an air filter, go for a high-quality one with a high energy star rating.
Inspect the ductwork
To ensure your ductwork isn’t losing air and is sealed properly, inspect it regularly. A poorly sealed ductwork loses air making it too expensive to keep the air conditioner running.
To avoid this, at least once every three months, take a look at your ductwork and ensure it’s properly sealed. You should note that sometimes you might inspect it and find it fault free while it has many issues. In addition to your inspection, also ask an expert AC professional to take a look at it and ensure the ductwork is in perfect shape.
Adjust the thermostat
Did you know your thermostat can destroy your air conditioner? When you constantly run your unit in the wrong setting, you make it work harder hence the constant problems.
When you aren’t in the house, or you are sleeping, don’t keep the air conditioner working at its usual temperature. Instead, adjust it to a higher temperature to lessen the time the unit has to work hence lengthening its life cycle.
Adjusting the temperature also lowers your power bill; hence you save a lot of money in the long run.
If you have the budget, invest in a programmable thermostat that will allow you to pre-program your thermostat to match your schedule. You can even control the thermostat when you aren’t in the house.
Inspect the power cord
The power cord connects the air conditioner to the wall outlet. Due to constant use, it wears out and might even fail to supply your appliance with electricity. To check the cord, remove the control panel, unscrew the cord terminals then attach a test wire across the bare lead wires.
You should then hook the clips of the volt-ohm-milliammeter (VOM) and test whether the cord is functioning optimally. If it’s not, replace it. You need to know how to use the VOM to determine if the power cord is working. If you haven’t used it before, let an expert help you out.
Clean the evaporator drain
The evaporator drain is a 1-inch PVC pipe coming off the evaporator enclosure. To clean it, attach a vacuum to its end and seal it with duct tape or rag. To avoid damage, AC repair services Vienna VA recommend you remove the vacuum’s filter and clear out any blockage.
