Air Conditioner Maintenance

Having your air conditioner regularly maintained is an important part of keeping your unit working optimally. Having it serviced for a tune up will ensure that you are keeping your energy cost to a minimum and are extending the lifetime of the unit. You will also be lowing the chance of needing an emergency AC repair in the middle of a heatwave when you need it working the most! The best time to have your AC tuned up is before you begin to use it for the season. Here are some tips that you may be able to take care of yourself to help maintain your AC unit.

1. Clean debris away from the outside unit.
Remove any leaves, branches, tall grass, vines, etc. from around the unit as this can cause it to overheat.
2. Wash the outside unit to get rid of dirt and dust that has built up.
Use a garden hose and never use a pressure washer. Pressure washers can be too powerful and may end up damaging the unit.
3. Ensure that you have approximately 2’ of space
Between the outside unit and any other object. You should also have about 4’ of space above the unit. This will allow for proper air circulation.
4. Clean the condenser coils
Shut of the power to the unit and open it up. You can purchase condenser coil cleaner. Follow instructions listed on the product
5. Straighten the fins on the unit
You can use either a butter knife or a fin brush to gently straighten out any bent fins. Be incredibly careful as they are extremely delicate.

Maintaining Your Indoor AC Unit
Change the air filter regularly. This is the easiest step to maintaining the health of your air conditioner. If you allow the filter to become clogged it will have a large impact on the efficiency of your unit and can possibly cause it to become damaged. The filter should be changed every 30 – 90 days with it on the low end of that if you have pets in your home. Pet hair and dander can quickly build up in your filter.

2. Broken condenser fan
Clean the evaporator coils. You can buy evaporator coil cleaner that sprays on and can clean the tough to remove dirt and debris away with a small brush. Be sure of have your AC turned off.

These tips for yearly air conditioner maintenance are relatively easy, however if you have any doubts about what you are doing or do not feel comfortable attempting it yourself it is best to call in a HVAC professional. Even if you are feeling confident there are definite benefits to having a professional come in to service your AC unit. They can check for any other problems with your unit that you would easily miss and ensure that the cleaning is done properly. Having an HVAC professional will guarantee that your system is working efficiently over the warmer months as well as lowering the chance you will need a repair in the near future when you need your air conditioner working the most.

HVAC Group is a team of professionals that are here for you to have your air conditioner fully operational at peak efficiency. We know the importance of a well working air conditioner in the heat of summer. Your home comfort is important to us. If you are in the Toronto area, give us a call to schedule an appointment. Your mind will be at ease knowing your air conditioner is ready to handle the heat.