>When it comes to owning and maintaining a central air conditioning unit, there is no shortage of things to worry about. Between scheduling appointments with technicians, reading instruction manuals and following maintenance schedules, it can be difficult to find time to actually relax in your home during the dog days of summer. However, all of the tasks listed above are essential for keeping your air conditioner running smoothly and without incident. Unfortunately, there are also plenty of potential problems that can crop up if you don’t stay on top of things. The good news is that many of these issues can be fixed with simple preventative maintenance that doesn’t require you to call a technician. In this blog post we will take a look at some of the most common air conditioning maintenance problems and what to do about them if they occur.

Check your thermostat and make adjustments as needed

The first step in maintaining your air conditioner is making sure that it is set correctly. This is especially important if your home has been recently renovated or expanded. In these cases, the new layout of the house may not be conducive to cooler temperatures. Before installing your air conditioner, check the temperature settings on your thermostat. If you notice that it is set for warmer temperatures than typical for your area, you can adjust it accordingly to ensure that your home is cool enough. If you have an older home that is not set up for central air, you may also want to consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat. These units can be programmed to lower the temperature during certain hours of the day, such as when you are sleeping, to maximize efficiency and reduce your energy bill.

Check and clean the evaporator coil

If you have an evaporative cooler, such as a window unit, you will not be able to see the evaporator coil. However, it is still important to check it regularly for build-up, dust, and other debris that could impede its performance. If you have a central air unit, you can inspect the evaporator coil by removing the access panel on the side of the unit. If you have a window unit, you will need to remove the cover from the unit’s base. Once you have removed the cover, you can pull out the evaporator coil. You will want to clean the evaporator coil with a brush and a vacuum to remove any build-up and debris. Doing so will ensure that your system is operating at peak performance and is not leaking water from the system.

Check and clean the condenser coil

If you have a central air unit, you will have a condenser coil inside the unit. This is the part of the system that gets really hot and is responsible for cooling the surrounding air. You will want to inspect the condenser coil to make sure that it is clean and free of debris. You can do this by removing the access panel on the side of the unit. If you have a window unit, you will need to remove the cover from the unit’s base. Once you have removed the cover, you can pull out the condenser coil. You will want to clean the condenser coil with a brush and a vacuum to remove any build-up and debris. Doing so will ensure that your system is operating at peak performance and is not leaking water from the system.

Check and clean the fan(s)

The fan(s) that is/are connected to the evaporator coil is/are responsible for pulling cool air into your home and pushing warm air out. You will want to check and clean the fan(s) to make sure that they are clean and not obstructing the flow of air. You can do this by removing the access panel on the side of the unit. If you have a window unit, you will need to remove the cover from the unit’s base. Once you have removed the cover, you can pull out the fan(s). You will want to clean the fan(s) with a brush and a vacuum to remove any build-up and debris. Doing so will ensure that your system is operating at peak performance and is not leaking water from the system.

Change the filter regularly

As with the other components of your air conditioner, you will want to change the filter in your system on a regular basis. Depending on the type of filter you use, you may need to change it more frequently. If you use a standard filter, you will need to change it every 3-6 months. If you use a high-efficiency filter, you will need to change it every 1-2 months.

Conclusion

In order to keep your air conditioner running efficiently and effectively, you will need to stay on top of regular maintenance. Fortunately, most of these tasks are quick and easy and do not require the assistance of a technician. By keeping an eye out for potential problems and addressing them before they become serious, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure that your system is running efficiently. With these tips and tricks, you will be able to keep your air conditioner in great working order throughout the summer.