AC Maintenance Useful Tips for Homeowners

Small things often make a big difference. Do you remember that proverbial poem about “the want of a horseshoe nail?” There are several maintenance tasks for your air conditioner that are small steps, but they often have big consequences. Some small tasks with major results can be completed by you. Some small tasks with major results require special training and equipment. Let’s take a look at some of those small AC Maintenance tasks:

Changing Your Air Filter. Over the decades of your air conditioner’s usefulness, changing the air filter regularly is the single most impactful activity to promote efficiency and long usefulness.

• Who should change your air filter? Anybody can change the filter. The homeowner or renter should change the filter as needed.
• When should the filter be changed? The best recommendation is at least every three months; however, if you are aware of environmental factors that produce large quantities of airborne particles, changing the filter more frequently might be best.
• Where can I find the air filter? A large vent near the base of the cabinet brings warm air from the house. The air filter will be in this lower vent trunk.
• Which filter should I use? Air filters are rated on a few different scales and higher numbers mean smaller openings and better filtration.

Clean Your Evaporator Drain. If you find water leaking from the air conditioner cabinet, it indicates the evaporator drain is clogged.

• Who should clean your evaporator drain? Anybody can clean this cabinet since it does not require special equipment or training.
• When should you clean the drain? Clean the drain prior to the cooling season and more often if needed.
• Where is the floor drain? You should find a drain line leading outdoors or to a floor drain. During the cooling season, water should flow through the drain consistently. When it clogs, the water will drain onto the floor.
• How should you clean this drain? Take a wet/dry shop vac and place the end of the drain inside the vacuum cleaner hose. A light seal with your hands should draw the clog out. Be prepared for a sudden flow of water.

Check the Refrigerant Level. Your air conditioner uses refrigerant gas technology to cool the air and remove humidity from the indoor air. If this gas leaks, the air conditioner will not cool properly.

• Who should check the coolant? Only a technician should handle refrigerant gas. It takes specialized gauges and training to read the gauges.
• How often should the refrigerant gas be checked? It will be checked annually during the annual maintenance visit if you schedule the visit.
• Where will you find the gas connections? Often, the gas connections are found outdoors at the condenser unit. The technician will be familiar with the location of the connectors.

Clean the Condenser Unit.  The outdoor portion of your air conditioner is called a condenser. Its main purpose is to cool refrigerant gas that gets extremely hot. Dirt and debris that stick to the condenser keep the gas from cooling.

• Who can clean the condenser? This task does not require special training or equipment, so anyone can clean it.
• What needs to be done? Make sure that leaves and limbs have not cumulated at the base of the unit. Clip the grass and trim shrubs at least two feet from the sides. Use a garden hose and gently wash the dust from between the fins.
• When does it need to be cleaned? It should be cleaned at least once annually, perhaps before the cooling season. Debris and grass should be cleaned as needed.

Schedule an Annual Inspection. Your air conditioner is a complex device, with both electrical and mechanical components. It needs regular maintenance for proper functioning.

• Who can maintain your air conditioner? This inspection requires specialized equipment and training, so it should only be completed by professional technicians.
• When should the air conditioner be serviced? The recommendations are for the air conditioner to be serviced annually. The inspection should last approximately one hour.
• Where will the technician need to access it? The inspection will include vents, the thermostat, the indoor cabinet, and the outdoor condenser unit.

These small things combine to make a big difference.

Have Questions about AC Maintenance?

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and AC Maintenance, schedule an appointment, or visit our Furnace Replacement information page.