Air Conditioner Repair: Keeping Up With Maintenance

One of the best things you can do as a homeowner to avoid expensive air conditioner repair is to simply take care of your HVAC unit. That doesn’t mean you need to take a crash course in the field or even be handy with a set of tools. With just some basic knowledge, you can ensure that you are getting the maximum efficiency out of your unit and that you aren’t heading straight for a disaster that will leave you sweltering in the summer heat while you wait for the repairman to come pay a visit. 

First, don’t neglect the importance of professional maintenance. If you live in an area of the country like Florida where you run your unit nearly year-round, you might want to consider having someone come out and look at your unit once every six months. In softer climates, you can get away with an annual maintenance routine. A professional can look inside your unit, make sure everything is running smoothly, and point out any signs of wear that could lead to a break in service. These things can be replaced and fixed much more easily if they are caught before any real damage is done. 

One of the main reasons people run into expensive air conditioner repair is that they don’t change their filter often enough. When dirt and dust collects on the filter, it prevents airflow from properly moving through the unit. The system depends on this airflow to work efficiently. If it is blocked, you may begin to experience warm air coming from the vents and eventually the machine may shut off altogether. This is a bad situation and could cost you a fortune to have it fixed. On the other hand, a disposable filter costs very little and replacing it once a month or even once every two months is hardly a work-intensive chore.

This isn’t the only area of your system that needs regular maintenance. Make it a point to pay attention to your outdoor condenser as well. It should be placed in such a way that it is not being blocked off by bushes or hedges. A lot of homeowners grow vegetation around their condensers to block noise and hide what they consider to be an ugly machine. But at the same time, they are cutting off airflow and increasing the chances of leaves and other debris getting pulled into the condenser. When this happens, the fan stops working properly and you’re not going to get the kind of airflow you want. Keep the condenser clean and free of obstructions and you’ll be one step closer to avoiding expensive air conditioner repair.