You might not be surprised to learn that approximately ninety percent of United States households have some form of air conditioning. No matter where you live, air conditioning is an innovation we’ve all come to rely upon. However, like any other hardworking appliance in your home, your air conditioning unit can accrue its share of wear and tear over time.
Turning a blind eye to your AC unit’s condition and relying upon professionals to fix it can prove costly. Implementing a proper AC maintenance schedule of your own is important for keeping your HVAC unit up and running. This brief guide will break down five key AC tasks you can do without the pros.
1. Change Your Filter
If you want to keep your AC system running as smoothly as it can, the simplest step you can take is changing your air filter. With continued use, your AC unit’s air filter gathers all manner of dust, dander, and other airborne pollutants, which block airflow and prevent it from cooling your home.
Changing the filter on a monthly basis is a cheap and easy way to care for your unit that makes a big difference.
2. Clean Your Outdoor Unit
The outdoor portion of your HVAC unit is responsible for keeping fresh, filtered outdoor air circulating in your home. However, being outside all the time, it can get dirty rather quickly.
With the power turned off, use a screwdriver to remove its protective coverings, allowing you to scrub all dirt and debris from the condenser and gutters.
3. Make Sure AC Unit Is Free From Path of Debris
It’s one thing to clean your outdoor AC unit, but it’s another thing to take measures to make sure it’s out of dirt’s path as much as possible. For example, trim any branches or shrubbery that are too close to the unit, from which various debris can be sucked into its fan.
Also, be sure that your unit is out of the path of your laundry room’s dryer vent, as you don’t want that dust to circulate right back into your home.
4. AC Maintenance of Coils and Fans
Coils and fans are the more flimsy and delicate parts of your AC system. Thus, they should be cleaned gently and carefully with a brush in order to avoid risk of damage.
Nonetheless, if you aren’t entirely confident with such a task, you can always leave this particular job to AC repair professionals.
5. Monitor Your Thermostat
Another easy way to care for your HVAC unit is to stay vigilant of how much energy it needs to be using. If you know you won’t be home for a significant stretch of time, adjust your thermostat to a higher temperature.
This way, your AC unit won’t work as hard to maintain temperatures you won’t be experiencing, which will in turn lengthen your unit’s life cycle.
Stay In The Know and Keep A Healthy Home
Now that you know some easy AC maintenance strategies to take into your own hands, there’s no reason to stop there. There are endless ways to keep your home in tiptop shape without having to rely on paid professionals.
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