5 DIY Tips for Your Air Conditioner Maintenance | Air Conditioning Service in Azle, TX
Air conditioning systems are one of the most common household items in the United States. According to the United States Energy Information Administration (EIA), almost 87% houses in the U.S have air conditioning systems. These cooling systems are much more common than they used to be a few decades ago. Although air conditioning systems are improving with every new model, they still require proper maintenance and care like every other electro-mechanical equipment.
Maintenance of an air conditioning system is important because it makes sure that they work the whole summer without causing any troubles. It is recommended by experts to get a necessary air conditioning service in Azle, TX every year before summer. A service should always be done by a professional, but sometimes you can take care of small issues that can cause big problems. These little things are signs that your air conditioner might get faulty in the near future. You don’t need a professional to spot these signs and repair them because you can do it yourself.
Here are some of the small DIY maintenance tips that you can use to keep your air conditioner working properly:
Shut Down the Power
Air conditioning units are one of those machines that use high amperes of currents. It is very important for your safety to turn off their power supply whenever you decide to do maintenance work around it. You should only attempt a service or repair of an air conditioner if you possess sufficient knowledge and experience working around high-powered electrical equipment. You should be completely aware of the safety rules and physical properties of metal and electricity.
If you have a doubt that you might hurt yourself then you should not do any service or repair and instead call for a professional air conditioning service in Azle, TX to do it for you.
Clean the Outside Unit
If you are confident that you can go ahead in the maintenance process then the first thing you need to check is the condition of the outside unit. The outside unit or condenser unit of an air conditioning system is responsible for sending fresh air and getting rid of the stale air from the inside. However, as it is placed outside your house, it can become dirty pretty quickly. So an important part of the maintenance process is to make sure your outside unit is clean.
You need basic tools like screw drivers and wrenches for this job. Use these tools to open the fan cage. Remove the grill to access the interior of the condenser/outside unit and check for any kind of debris. If you find any leaves or dust inside then you should simply clean it. You can do this by hand or even use a vacuum cleaner. The professionals you call for air conditioning service in Azle, TX will also clean your outer unit. But you can also clean it yourself and inform the professionals to avoid this step.
Wash and Straighten the Fins
Fins are the metal webs that almost cover the entire outside unit. They are designed to keep the dirt and debris outside the unit whilst letting the air flow through it. But as expected from this process, these fins get filled with dirt and require cleaning. So when you have already opened the fan cage, the next thing you should do is remove every grill from the unit. Once you have exposed the fins you can start washing it with an unpressurized garden hose. Fins should be cleaned from both inside and outside. Cleaning of the fins is one of the major parts of air conditioning service in Azle, TX that professionals do.
Fins are made out of thin slices of metal pieces therefore, they get bent pretty easily. Bent fins can be bad for airflow from the condenser unit, so you should check for bent fins as well. If you find any bent fins you should straighten then up. Fins can be straightened by using a simple household knife. You can also buy a tailor made fin straightener from the department store.
Clean the Evaporator Coil and Drain Pipe
After the maintenance of the outside unit, it’s time to move inside. The next thing that needs cleaning is the evaporator coil. For this process, you require the same basic tools (screw drivers and wrenches) as earlier. Once you reach the coil, sweep it clean by using a soft brush. After the dust is cleaned off the coil, you need to spray it with the industrial no-rinse coil cleaner. Specially designed coil cleaners are available in every department store near you or you can buy them online as well.
After cleaning the evaporator coil, move towards cleaning the drain pan and pipe. Make a homemade cleaner by adding 50% water and 50% bleach in a cup. Pour this solution down the drain of your air conditioner. This is guaranteed to keep your drain clean for the long term. So by cleaning the drain pipe and evaporator coil, you have increased the time and effort saved which would otherwise be wasted during air conditioning service in Azle, TX.
Change the Air Filter
Changing the air filter has to be the most basic maintenance step of air conditioning service in Azle, TX. It is such an easy process that you don’t even need any kind of professional help for it. Just remove the old filter and replace it with the new one. It is recommended to change your air filter at least twice a year and even more often if you live in a dusty area.
Are you looking for professional air conditioning service in Azle, TX? Well, you are in luck as the best heating and air conditioning repair and service providers are available near you. One Hour Heating and Air has a team of highly trained technicians who can be at your doorstep within an hour in case of an emergency.