Indoor & Outdoor AC Maintenance Tips
Back to BlogThe last thing you want in Macon, GA, is a broken air conditioner. The heat will be one thing, but the cost of replacing your AC unit might make you sweat even more! Fortunately, there are some easy tasks you can perform to maintain your unit. Use these AC maintenance tips and tricks to keep your air conditioner running smoothly.
If you are not comfortable performing maintenance on your air conditioning unit and live in the Macon, Georgia, area, don’t hesitate to contact us online and schedule a service appointment! At Conditioned Air, Inc., our HVAC contractors and crewmembers are dedicated to providing our local area with quality work!
AC Maintenance Services
The optimal time to perform AC or HVAC maintenance is before you really need to use it! By maintaining your unit before the dog days of summer, you can be sure your AC will work more efficiently when it needs to. This will save you money and keep your home cool.
We urge you to perform some routine maintenance on your cooling system in mid-to-late spring. That way, you can prepare for summer accordingly and call a professional if needed.
Since components of your air conditioning unit are both outside and inside your home, you should dedicate time to both sections.
Outdoor Air Conditioning Maintenance
Your condenser unit may appear intimidating, but keeping this component clean and running efficiently is pretty straightforward.
- Power off the unit. The safest and most responsible way to perform AC maintenance on your unit is to power it off before you begin. By cutting off the power supply, you can ensure a deep clean and limit the risk of injury.
- Clear debris. The less that could enter and clog the unit, the better. Removing the cap and taking a shop vac to the inside of the condenser is a great way to clear all the leaves, tree branches, gravel, and gunk that may be building up in your unit.
- Clean the fins. The fins are the small metal prongs that protect the condenser coil. Many homeowners experience clogged fins on their air conditioners. You can use a hose (on a low setting) to remove any unwanted buildup on the outside of your fins. If possible, it’s best to remove the lid of the condenser and spray from the inside out.
- Fix the fins. These delicate metal pieces are prone to being bent. To ensure they are working properly, you can use a butter knife and (carefully) straighten the fins on the condenser unit. You could also buy a fin comb, which is a small tool that will drag and straighten many fins at one time.
- Check insulation on coolant pipes. The line that transfers the refrigerant through your air conditioning system should be covered by a layer of thick insulation. Sometimes, sun exposure can destroy these protective linings. Check on this insulation regularly, as it keeps the refrigerant cold and protects anything from happening to the pipe.
Indoor Air Conditioning Maintenance
Keeping track of the indoor components of your AC unit is just as important as the outside.
- Clear the drain. Your AC condensate drain fills with — you guessed it — condensation and water that your air conditioner releases. The plastic tube can be heaven for mold, which could clog your system and back everything up. Use special AC pan pills to keep your condensate drain from clogging, or use a shop vac to remove a clog if it’s already formed.
- Check your filter. A quality filter is essential for keeping dirt and grime out of your blower. Typically, we recommend that every homeowner change their filter every three months or so. This allows your AC to work efficiently and avoid performance issues.
- Check for leaks. Unfortunately, not every AC maintenance service can be performed at home. If you detect a leak in any of the refrigerant lines in your AC unit, you need to employ the help of a professional.
Choose Conditioned Air, Inc. for AC Maintenance in Macon, GA
These tips should keep your air conditioning unit in tiptop shape, but sometimes professional HVAC service is the safest and most effective way to solve your heating and cooling system problems. Conditioned Air, Inc. offers 24-hour emergency AC repair service in Georgia and guarantees quality work. Our NATE-certified technicians have been professionally trained to install, repair, and maintain all your heating and cooling systems.
Contact us today at 478-742-8768 to learn about our air conditioner repair and maintenance services!