As a Central Texas resident, you likely experience only a few short months during which your air conditioner is turned off. We’ve had a pretty mild year so far in 2016, so you could have just turned on your AC within the last few weeks! In any case, heading into our 100-degree days of summer, it’s vital to make sure that your AC is ready to operate at full capacity. We’ve all heard stories of people who have had their AC break down in the heat of summer, or been victims of an AC breakdown ourselves. Take some time before it gets too hot to do some DIY AC maintenance. If you run into any problem areas, you’ll still have wiggle room for an air conditioner tune-up.
Doing any air conditioner maintenance yourself can be intimidating – the thought of tampering with (and possibly breaking) your AC unit is pretty scary. Here are some easy and straightforward tasks you can tackle first. And remember this important point: turn your unit off and make sure it powers down fully before starting your work.
1. Clean or replace the air filter.
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- An air filter clogged with dirt can cause your AC unit to operate poorly (or not at all), as your unit struggles to pull in air, and pushes out particles with the air making it through. Dirt, dust, and all kinds of particles build up quickly over time, so make sure to check your air filter before starting up your AC unit. If the air filter is simply too clogged to clean, be sure to replace it.
2. Remove dirt from the evaporator and condenser coils.
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- Dirt and debris can build up on the coils of your air conditioner. It is imperative that these coils be able to “breathe”, as they work tirelessly to send cool air from your unit into your ductwork and thus your house. Buildup on these coils keeps them from releasing condensation and can cause overheating of your AC unit. Use a coil brush or a soft vacuum brush to clean the coils, and be sure to clean them gently so not to bend them. For particularly stubborn debris, use a commercial coil cleaner.
3. Clear any debris in and around your outside AC unit.
- It is likely that during the winter months (however short they are), leaves, branches, and possibly bits of trash have blown in or very close to your outdoor AC unit. Take some time to expel these items from the general area, and remove the side panels of your AC unit if necessary to eliminate any fragments that have accumulated inside the unit. While you’ve got the unit open, check the blower blades for dirt accumulation, and clean them as well.
Once you’ve completed these tasks and are ready to tackle some upgrades, here are some additional steps you can take to complete your DIY AC tune-up.
4. Assess refrigerant levels and tube condition.
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- Refrigerant, or freon, is what cools the air coming into your home. Check the level of freon in your AC unit to make sure it is sufficient. If the refrigerant is low, take a look at the refrigerant tubes for cracks or holes – the probable culprit for low refrigerant. The tubes are typically covered with insulation. If you see any missing spots, re-cover those with new insulation.
5. Check the coil drain hose to make sure drainage is flowing.
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- This plastic hose runs from a tray that catches condensation from the coils to a specified location (outside your house, most likely). Make sure the hose is not leaking and is depositing in the correct location, to ensure you don’t experience any flooding from your AC unit.
6. Gauge performance of air ducts and seal those that are leaking.
- Make a cursory inspection of your home to see if cool air is flowing in all areas. If there are areas of lower performance, check the air ducts to make sure they are sealed properly. Apply caulk to leaky areas in your air ducts.
If you’ve completed your DIY air conditioner tune-up and your unit is malfunctioning, or you’d just rather leave part or all of this work to a trained professional, contact ABC for help. We can assist with many different types of AC issues, including general maintenance checks, repair and replacement of AC units, and regular filter replacement. And all of our AC work is warrantied, so you can count on us should any issues arise.