We usually spend the majority of our time indoors — at work, school, and home. Therefore, we need to maintain a home that has the ability to keep us comfortable, regulate humidity, and increase indoor air quality.
Your air conditioner is going to be the most important piece of equipment in your home in the weeks to come. As you know, the summer heat can cause major inconvenience. That’s why you should prepare your air conditioner as it is your first line of defense against summer’s scorching heat. Thankfully, there are easy steps you can take to gear up your air conditioner for another busy season.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning is your trusted HVAC company in Bloomington MN. We provide top-notch AC maintenance services to our customers, giving them stress-free, comfortable summers.
Here are a few steps you may want to take to keep your AC running smoothly.
Is the filter clean?
To keep dust, debris, and other particles from entering its interior components, your air conditioner is equipped with a filter. However, your filter is likely dirty due to months of inactivity. Clogged and dirty filters restrict normal airflow and greatly reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency.
When normal air flow is limited, the air that bypasses the filter may carry dust and dirt directly into the evaporator coil and weaken its capacity to absorb heat. Therefore, clean or replace your filter before using your AC this summer.
In terms of energy consumption, replacing a dirty and clogged filter with a fresh one can lower your cooling bills by 5 to 15 percent. Also, check the type of filter your air conditioner comes with. Some AC units are packed with reusable filters, while others need to be replaced regularly. No worries, since filters are readily available at home improvement stores. If your unit will be constantly used, you may need to check your filters at least twice a month, since it is forced to operate for longer periods.
Is the condenser coil in good shape?
An air conditioner’s condenser unit, usually located outdoors, is a large metal box with sides that look like grilles. Behind these grilles are the fan blades. If you used a tarp to cover the outdoor unit, remove the covering and visually inspect the condenser. Take away anything that obstructs the airflow. If you want to proceed and clean the coils, be sure to turn the power off the unit before doing so. However, if you find the coils dirty but aren’t comfortable cleaning them, call a professional for help.
Are the air vents clutter-free?
Your HVAC system’s air vents are usually found either on the floor or ceiling. Be sure that there are no blockages such as beds, dressers, books, or other items to your inlets. Maintain at least a clearance of one foot in the area surrounding the vents. Keeping these openings clear will help your air conditioner achieve a more balanced airflow, which is critical to its operation.
Do the coolant lines look good?
Your air conditioner has refrigerant tubes or pipes that run from the evaporator on the indoor unit to the condenser on the outside unit. You will see that these tubes are covered with a foam coolant line insulation. Visually inspect the lines and check if there are areas where the insulation is damaged. If the pipes look good, you’re good to go. However, if the pipes are impaired, they need to be replaced. For your safety, it’s best to call a qualified technician to replace the foam insulation sleeves.
Is the air conditioner working properly?
When the unit is thoroughly dry, turn the power back on to your condenser unit. Set the thermostat to OFF. Then, turn on the power at the main panel and the disconnect box. You can now switch the thermostat to COOL. The unit should work as normal. If not, call an AC specialist for help.
Ask the AC Pros
For best results, schedule a professional maintenance with Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning. We will give your AC a thorough cleaning, check lines for leaks and seal them off if needed. We will also make sure the unit has the right refrigerant level to allow it to work as effortlessly as possible. We are your reliable Richfield AC repair and maintenance company.