AC Repair: Saving Money Through Regular Maintenance

It's possible to avoid the inconvenience of a failed air conditioner in the middle of the summer. Here are a few maintenance tips.

A building's air conditioning system is often taken for granted. When it does its job, running quietly and efficiently, we hardly notice is. But when it fails, it can be a really big deal. Fortunately, there are ways to help avoid the discomfort of a failed unit during the heat of the summer. Regular maintenance of the unit can save money down the road in avoiding major A/C repair.

DIY vs. Calling a pro

Because the two major components of the A/C unit, the condenser and the evaporator, are sealed, a professional maintenance person must be called for most repairs and maintenance. It's recommended that to avoid the unit breaking down at an inopportune time that it is inspected once a year by an A/C repairs professional.

Regular maintenance

There are several things that an individual can do throughout the year to keep the unit running efficiently and avoid costly A/C repair. There are two main pieces that are accessible to the handyman to work on. The filter is an important factor to keeping the entire unit operating at its best. First, clean the filter regularly. When it becomes blocked, circulation is impaired and the air will not as cool as it should be.

Check it twice a month and when needed, run it under lukewarm water to clean it. Another good idea is to keep an eye on the coils. If frost forms on them, switch off the unit until the room heats up. If the frost remains, you may need to remove the front cover and clean the internal coils using a soft brush.

Troubleshooting

Before calling in the A/C repair professional, take a good look at the location and position of the unit. A unit that does not have enough room behind it, for example there is a wall or other obstruction in the back, will not have sufficient air flow to do its job. Ideally, there will be about 3-4 feet behind the back of the unit. Also, a unit that is not resting in a level position, may cause water to pool under air conditioner.

So if you notice a water leak, try re-positioning it slightly so that it is resting levelly. Another item to check is the cord plug. Because an air conditioning unit uses so much electricity, a burnt cord plug is actually a frequent cause of malfunction. To avoid this, change the plug occasionally, both on the end of the power cord as well as the wall outlet.

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