Proper air conditioning maintenance not only ensures that the air conditioner runs efficiently thus keeping your house cool, it also saves you money. Proper maintenance also saves you from repairing or replacing your unit. To help you out here are some maintenance tips for your air conditioning system.

Straighten air conditioner fins

Air conditioner fins determine how air flows in the air conditioner. Due to the work that they do, the fins tend to bend over time. To improve airflow and increase efficiency of your unit straighten the bent fins. You can straighten the fins using a commercially available fin-straightener or butter-knife. Remember to be gentle when straightening the fins to avoid breaking them or damaging the tubing.

Clean or replace air filters

Air filters improve air quality by removing dirt and debris. For the units to continue working efficiently you have to replace them regularly. HVAC contractors recommend that you should replace them once every month. Failing to replace dirty filters puts your unit at the risk of clogging and blocking normal air flow in your cooling system. In addition to this, the dirt may move to the coils, causing a decrease in the heat absorbing ability of the evaporator coil.

Clean the evaporator coil

The evaporator coil is found inside the evaporator and to keep your unit in good working condition you should clean it. The best way of cleaning it is using a stiff brush to get rid of dust. To thoroughly clean the coil, use a coil cleaner. While there are plenty of coil cleaners in the market that you can buy, the best that you should go for are no-rinse cleaners that you can easily find in most home improvement hardware stores. After cleaning the units you should return them in their right place and ensure that they are properly secured.

Hiring AC contractors

You can handle some of the AC maintenance by yourself or hire AC contractors to help you out. One of the things that you can do by yourself is replacing air filters. Sensitive tasks such as cleaning evaporator coils should be left to professionals. While there are many professionals advertising their services, not all are right for you.

Before you make your decision on the professional to hire, take your time to research. Find about the reputation and experience of the contractor. To protect your air conditioner, it’s wise that you hire an insured professional. Also ensure that the contractor is licensed to operate your local area.