Comfortable temperatures are not the only way of knowing if your air conditioner is running effectively and efficiently. A poorly running air conditioner also affects the health and safety of those within your household. During the summer, the average temperature in Southern California hits above 81°F daily. With temperatures being high outside, the interior of your home can also reach uncomfortable and even sometimes dangerous temperatures. Air conditioning regulates these temperatures and helps control and reduce humidity, preventing mold and mildew to protect your respiratory health. These things can be maintained and controlled when your AC unit runs smoothly. This blog will discuss 5 AC maintenance tips to increase your unit’s performance and ensure it is working at its best all the time.
1. Change Your Air Filters
Your HVAC system comes with air filters to capture dust, pet hair, and other contaminants. The air filters stop those contaminants from interfering with and damaging your system. Over time, the filters can get dirty or clogged. A dirty air filter can often cause icing on your unit, making the unit work harder than it needs to. Changing out your filters once a month prevents this issue from happening.
2. Clear Away Plants and Bushes
Your air conditioner needs free-flowing air to function correctly. Bushes, flower beds, grass, or weeds growing around the unit can obstruct airflow. When the airflow is blocked, your unit is pushed to work harder than it needs to. Clear away any plant life you find growing near the unit to ensure that it gets enough air.
3. Check the Drain Line
Your air conditioning unit needs to drain excess moisture from the condenser to work. Sometimes your unit’s drain line can clog from algae growth. Flushing the line from time to time with a small amount of bleach can prevent the algae from growing. If the algae, or any mold, has plugged up the line, a wet/dry vacuum can usually suck out the blockage.
4. Get a Programmable Thermostat
Many people leave their air conditioning turned on all day to cool an empty house or apartment. Others sometimes forget to adjust the thermostat on their way out the door. Leaving your unit running shortens its life and can lead to unnecessary costs. A programmable thermostat makes it so that you will never forget to turn your unit on and off again. You can set the thermostat to the temperatures you want for various times of the day. When you invest in a programmable thermostat, you save money and extend the efficient working life of the unit.
5. Schedule Professional Maintenance
Several things can go wrong with your air conditioning unit that you might not be able to see. Having an HVAC technician check your system at least once or twice a year means they can look at your electrical and mechanical components, coolant levels, and duct integrity and ensure that your air conditioner stays in good condition for as long as possible.
These 5 AC maintenance tips to increase your unit’s performance are crucial in improving the quality and operation of your air conditioning unit. Good DIY maintenance, including the tips listed above, help ensure proper airflow and drainage. A programmable thermostat ensures you don’t run the unit more than necessary, and professional maintenance lets you know that the electrical and mechanical components are still working correctly.
At Atlas HVAC Inc., we can thoroughly inspect your AC unit to determine if it is still working at its highest capacity. We can assist you with the tips mentioned in this blog or suggest other repairs or replacement options if they are needed. Our extensive experience, highly-trained technicians, and stellar track record ensure that you will be satisfied with our work when it is done. Contact us today at (877) 452-8527, or visit our website for a free quote today!
