While it’s wise that you hire AC tune-up professionals to maintain your air conditioner, you don’t have to do it all the time as you can do some of the things on your own.
AC maintenance tricks you can do on your own
Air filter maintenance: Clean air filters are a necessity for the proper functioning of the air conditioner. Dirty filters not only mean that your air conditioner works harder than it should, but it also reduces the lifespan of the unit.
At least once a month you should inspect the air filters and if dirty, clean them. The cool thing is that it’s easy to clean the air filter. After you have removed it from its location, clean it with any soap that you use in your bathroom. HVAC contractors recommend that you scrub it with a brush to get rid of all the dirt. After cleaning, dry it with a clean piece of cloth before replacing it.
Evaporator coil cleaning: You need a vacuum cleaner with a brush head to achieve ideal results. When cleaning the evaporator coil, clean it in the same direction as the fins. You should note the coils are delicate and can easily bend and even break if you are too rough during the cleaning.
Air conditioner cover cleaning: This is the cover that covers the air conditioner. You not only need to know how to remove it, but you also should be aware how to clean it. The cool thing is that it’s easy to do it. All you need to do is use a vacuum cleaner or clean piece of cloth.
Cleaning the drainage pipe: The drainage pipe is usually located in the toilet. To clean it you need to use a vacuum cleaner that will suck all the dirt from it. You should be patient with it especially if the unit is badly choked.
When you can’t properly maintain the unit
While you can do most of the basic maintenance practices on your own, there are some things that you can’t do. For example, you can’t fix the ductwork especially if you haven’t done it before. In such a scenario you have to hire an AC repair professional to help you out.
In addition to the above maintenance practices, you also have to hire AC contractors at least once a year to inspect your unit. During the inspection, the professional will identify even the most minor issues and fix them before they get worse.