Whenever spring comes around, we make a point of reminding our customers (and our future customers) that it’s time to arrange for air conditioning maintenance. This is a job that must be left to HVAC professionals. Only technicians with special vocational training and the right equipment can take care of the many tasks involved in maintaining an AC so it’s prepared for the summer: cleaning off the coils with chemical foam, lubricating the motors and other moving parts, tightening loose electrical connections, recalibrating the thermostat, handling any necessary recharge of the refrigerant levels, checking internal pressure, etc.
But maintenance for an AC extends past the annual spring check-up. There are a number of maintenance jobs that you’ll need to tackle yourself during the rest of the cooling season. Here are three steps to take for better air conditioning after professional maintenance is finished.
- Change the air filter regularly: A clogged HVAC air filter is the #1 cause for a cooling system losing its energy efficiency over the summer. To keep the filter clean, you should change it for a fresh one every 1 to 3 months. (The frequency depends on the type of filter and how often you run the air conditioner.) Some systems use permanent filters, which will need to be removed and cleaned with the same frequency as a temporary filter would need to be changed.
- See that room vents are unblocked: People sometimes close room vents in the belief it will help save energy. But it doesn’t work that way: a blocked vent will drive up air pressure inside the ventilation system, resulting in air leaks. Do an occasional check to see that vents are open and that no furniture has been accidentally moved or shifted so the vents are blocked.
- Keep area around the condenser clear: The condenser cabinet—the outdoor cabinet—releases heat to the outside. If there isn’t a clear area of about a foot on all sides of the cabinet, it will affect the efficiency of the AC. Trim bushes and other plants back from the area, and keep it clean of loose soil, gravel, leaves, and other debris that might enter the cabinet and interfere with the condenser coil.
Call JW Heating and Air when you need quality air conditioning services in Walnut, CA.