Repairing your air conditioner before the end of the summer, especially if it is a part of an HVAC unit, is smart. It will not only have the air conditioner ready to go before next summer, but it’s also a chance to get the heating unit ready.
Also, having your air conditioner repaired or maintained at the end of the summer beats the summer rush. Most people try to have this type of maintenance done in the spring, overwhelming air conditioning repair shops.
Some of the maintenance you can do yourself, but other repair and maintenance tasks are best left to a professional.
Change the Air Filters
This is a very simple thing you can do yourself. Your air conditioner or HVAC unit will run more efficiently with clean filters. Moreover, the air quality in your home will be much better.
Depending on the type of filters you use, these should be changed every 30 to 90 days. First, turn off the unit to prevent dust from being sucked into the system. Open the vent, take out the old filter, and put in a new one. It’s that simple. Now, your air conditioner or HVAC unit is ready for the next season.
Cleaning and Repairing the Exterior Coil Fins
If you’re a handy homeowner, this is a job you can tackle yourself. However, most people leave this job to an air conditioning repair technician.
The exterior condenser coils can get clogged with dirt, especially if you live in a dusty area. You can dust off the exterior, however, for a full cleaning you’ll need to remove the fan cage and hose off the condenser fins from the inside. This is why most people choose to leave this task to a pro.
The coil fins can also become bent. Bent fins reduce airflow and thus, reduce efficiency. You can carefully straighten bent fins with a butter knife.
Professional Air Conditioning Repair
Some jobs are best left to a professional, such as checking for refrigerant leaks with a leak detector. Without the proper levels of refrigerant, your air conditioner will not cool the air. A professional bit of air conditioning repair and maintenance is good for your AC unit. Topping off or replacing the refrigerant requires special tools and training.
Cleaning the evaporator coil and drain also involves getting deep inside the unit. Deep cleaning your air conditioning unit is something best left to a professional.
Getting your air conditioner or HVAC unit maintained at the end of the summer is smart. You’ll not only beat the summer rush but, if you have an HVAC system, it will also be ready for the fall and winter.
