Many homeowners ask if air conditioner maintenance is something that they can do themselves. If you’ve been asking this question yourself, read on as Bartlett Heating & Air Conditioning shares the answers, as well as details on what you can and can’t do with air conditioner maintenance.
Leave Maintenance to Your Air Conditioning Technician
Regular maintenance is an important part of your air conditioning system’s upkeep. If done properly, maintenance and tune-ups can help prevent problems such as unexpected breakdowns, loss of efficiency and random malfunctions. It can also help prolong your air conditioner’s service life.
Air conditioning maintenance involves complicated systems, with many components that require precision settings and calibration. This is why HVAC technicians undergo extensive training before receiving certification. Along with air conditioner inspection and the cleaning of dirty components, HVAC technicians also make sure that the motors aren’t clogged, the condenser coils are in good shape and there’s the right amount of refrigerant for the unit to be able to charge. Some of these components are delicate and therefore have to be handled by a trained individual.
Maintenance Tasks You Can Do Yourself
There are some smaller maintenance tasks that you can do yourself. These tasks complement those that technicians perform and can be done between visits.
Changing the air filter — Air filters need to be replaced every three months on average. During seasons with extreme temperatures, however, you may need to replace it as often as once a month as your air conditioning usage increases. Make it a point to check your air filter every month and order a replacement if it’s clogged. If you’re not familiar with how to remove and replace them, ask your technician on their next visit.
Keeping the outdoor unit clear — Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit needs airflow in order to function properly, which means there has to be at least a foot of clearance between it and any surrounding plants or other installations. Trimming back surrounding plants regularly can help ensure proper operation.
Optimizing room vents & registers — In addition to making sure the vents and registers are clean, make certain that they’re not blocked by furniture. Blocked airflow increases the workload on the air conditioner, which not only places greater strain on it but can also increase energy costs.
Call Bartlett for All Your Air Conditioning Needs
If you’ve been looking online for “heating and cooling companies near me,” call Bartlett at (630) 372-7640 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. We serve customers in Bartlett, IL, and nearby areas.
