Summers have been getting warmer and warmer in the southern Maryland and northern Virginia area in recent years. With heat waves occurring more often, it’s important to make sure that your air conditioning unit won’t break down on you this summer.
You should also take steps to ensure that your air conditioner is able to run as efficiently as possible in order to keep your cooling costs lower. The following steps can help your air conditioner run as smoothly as possible all summer long.
Change the Filter
One of the most basic steps to perform to keep your air conditioner running smoothly is to change the air filter. This filter traps dust, dirt and other debris, which builds up on it over time. When your air filter becomes coated in debris, this causes your air conditioner motor to work harder to cool your home. This results in more wear and tear on your air conditioner and higher energy bills. Get into the habit of checking your air filter once a month and changing it when it’s dirty. In general, you should replace your air filter with a new one every few months. However, you might need to replace it with a new one each month during summer, since your air conditioner runs more often when it’s hot out.
Get Rid of Debris
Leaves, vegetation, twigs and other debris can surround your outdoor unit, also known as the condenser unit. This reduces airflow through your air conditioner and causes it to run harder than usual in order to cool your home efficiently. Get rid of any debris around your condenser unit and remove weeds and other vegetation that’s growing near it. This includes trimming shrubs and bushes that are close to your condenser unit. You should keep bushes, shrubs and tree branches at least 3 feet away from this unit to ensure that it has enough airflow. Leaving this amount of open space around the condenser unit helps it run efficiently throughout the summer months.
Clean the Condenser Coils
Check the coils in your condenser unit for debris, which can cause them to become clogged and reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency. If you see debris in these coils, you’ll need to clean them off to make sure they’re able to work properly. The first step is turning power off to your condenser unit to prevent electric shocks. Once the power is off, remove the top and side panels or grilles from your unit. Be careful not to loosen or pull on any wires that connect to the unit’s fan. Clean the coils inside the unit with a refrigerator coil brush, which should remove any debris that has collected on them. When handling the coils, avoid bending the fins. If the coils are still dirty, you can vacuum them to remove all traces of debris.
Inspect Coolant Lines
Your air conditioner needs coolant or refrigerant to lower the amount of heat inside the unit and allow it to produce cool air. The tubes containing coolant are typically covered with insulation, which lowers the risk of having them lose energy. Problems with coolant line insulation can make it harder for coolant to work effectively. Check the coolant lines that run from the condenser unit to the air handler for signs of damage or excessive wear and tear. If the insulation covering these lines looks frayed or worn or if you notice parts of the insulation missing, replace it with brand new insulation. You can do this by using foam insulation sleeves or foam insulation tape.
Schedule Regular Professional Maintenance
If you’re not comfortable performing these steps on your own or if your air conditioner could use a tune-up before summer starts, schedule a professional inspection and maintenance. An air conditioning technician can do a thorough inspection of your unit and make sure that it’s in good condition for the season. This includes checking for signs of potential problems and fixing them before they become bigger ones. Professional maintenance also includes checking the coolant lines for leaks, ensuring that the unit is clean and free of debris and checking wiring for loose connections or other problems. Keep in mind that routine maintenance before the start of the cooling season is one of the most effective ways to make sure your air conditioner runs efficiently throughout the summer months.
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