4 Tips To Maintain Your Central Air Conditioner
Posted on: 22 May 2019
A central air conditioner is the best way to keep your house at the exact right temperature. If you live somewhere that gets uncomfortably warm, central AC can turn your home into the retreat that you need. However, like all appliances, central air conditioners need maintenance to perform at their best. Here are four tips to help you maintain your central air system:
1. Ensure that your condenser unit is not obstructed.
Central air conditioning works by cooling air and funneling it into your home through a series of ducts. The part of your air conditioner that does the cooling is called the condenser unit, and it's usually located outside your home. Make sure nothing obstructs your condenser unit because this can cause it to become less effective or even overheat, leading to damage. Make sure nearby shrubs and plants don't grow into the condenser, since this can damage the internal mechanisms.
2. Cover your condenser unit in extreme weather.
The one exception to keeping your condenser unit free from obstruction occurs in times of extreme weather. You should never cover your condenser unit while your air conditioner is on, but you should cover it before predicted storms. You may also want to cover it if you won't be using it for several months, such as at the beginning of winter. This will keep it safe from snow, birds, and dust.
3. Never completely close your vents.
Cold air emerges from your house's ducts through vents. You can regulate the amount of air that enters the room by adjusting the position of the vents. However, you should not fully close any of the vents. Closed vents can lead to cold air becoming stuck in the ducts and rapidly lowering their temperature. If this goes on long enough, parts of your air conditioning system can freeze, which will cause damage.
4. Call an HVAC professional for servicing.
You can perform most of the routine maintenance yourself, but your central AC will still benefit from a professional touch. At least once a year, have an HVAC contractor service your air conditioner. They will change the air filter, but they'll also clean the inner workings of your air conditioner, including the internal and external coils. If you have animals in your home or live somewhere that's prone to dust storms, you may also want to have your ducts cleaned annually. This will help keep the air you breathe fresh and clean.
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