An important part of home maintenance is taking care of your HVAC system. A little end of summer air conditioning maintenance is the best way to be sure it will be ready to cool your home when spring rolls back around. Of course, prolonging the lifespan of your equipment is important, especially given the high cost of a replacement HVAC system, so take a few minutes at the end of the season to take care of essential A/C maintenance.
Most people know that they need to replace their air filter on a regular basis. Whether you have a washable filter that can be reused or you have a disposable filter, it is important to make sure your HVAC system has a clean filter. Typically, the filter will need to be changed once a month; however, if you are shutting down the A/C until next summer, replacing the filter now will ensure your cooling system will be ready to start cooling your home when the temperatures begin to climb again.
When your air conditioner is running, air is drawn over the evaporator coils, removing the warm air and replacing it with cool, comfortable air; however, the coils and fins in your indoor unit can get dirty. Dust and other airborne debris can leave them dirty, blocking air flow and diminishing the cooling capacity and efficiency of your air conditioner. For good airflow and proper ventilation the coils and fins should be wiped clean at the end of the season.
Similarly, your outdoor condenser unit will collect dirt, pollen and other debris that can make the unit run poorly. Gently spray with a garden hose and remove anything from around the unit that is blocking the airflow.
Finally the drain line and condensate pan should be emptied. The line needs to be free of any type of blockage and there should be no water sitting in the condensate pan. Completing these end of season A/C maintenance procedures will leave your air conditioner ready for another summer of efficient cooling.
When you need HVAC service or help with your A/C maintenance, give a trusted local HVAC contractor a call.
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