Articles | Maintaining Your Air Conditioning System

Properly maintaining your air conditioning system could save you thousands of dollars every year. These savings include a lowered utility bill, as well as a longer running system. Furthermore, when your HVAC system has been taken good care of, you will save money on pricey repair costs as well. Start this care process by making sure there is proper airflow on the inside and out.

To ensure the airflow is efficient on the inside, you should change your filter on a regular basis. A clogged up filter can not only reduce airflow, but damage your HVAC unit as well. The purpose of the air filter is to keep unwanted dust and dirt from reaching your system and air ducts. For proper care, a filter should be changed at least every season. However, if there are pets in a home it is a good idea to change the air filter monthly. Whenever air filters are kept clean, they will pick up all of the dirt and dust that could get into your air ducts and cause problems. Additionally, you will not need to pay for a technician to clean the air ducts if they are doing their job.

Maintaining the outside of your HVAC unit is very simple. First of all, it is important to inspect the unit often to determine if there is anything covering the coil of your unit. Often, in the summer, trees such as Cottonwood have released seeds which will find the way to your HVAC unit coil. When this happens, you should use your water hose to spray the unit clean. For best results, start at the top of your unit and spray downward until it is dirt-free.

As a reminder, you will not always be able to see the dirt on your unit. Therefore, it is a good idea to clean at least once a year using detergent. First, spray the detergent onto your unit and allow it to soak for a couple of hours. Then, as stated above, spray your unit sparkling clean in a downward motion. One precautionary step you should be aware of is that it is wise to turn the power off at the breaker to avoid the possibility of getting shocked.

Remember, even with proper care, every once in awhile, something will go wrong with your unit that requires a technician. Repair costs are likely to be reduced however, if you have done your part in maintaining your air conditioning system. Finally, it is a smart idea to have a repair man look at your unit once a year to ensure there are no problems you are unaware of.