How to Care for Your Air Conditioner

Keeping cool during the warmer months used to be as simple as plugging in a fan and turning it on. Now, with the evolution of technology and the extremely hot summers where turning a fan on is not going to cut it, using an air conditioner has become a necessity. Since they are so popular, it can get quite expensive replacing them each year because you are too lazy to take care of them. If you want to save yourself some serious cash and become more knowledgeable about your ac, take a look at these tips that show you how to take care of your air conditioner.

First, you need to make sure that the condenser of the unit is still working correctly. It is not uncommon for condensers to fail after a season of use. To prevent this from happening, go outside to where your condenser is located and make sure that the immediate area around it is free from clutter, debris and dirt. Many times when there is an issue with your air conditioner, it is because some leaves and dirt are blocking the air from going into the condenser. Make sure the coils are clean, since dirty coils will impede your unit's ability to generate cool air as well.

Next, you will need to check the inner components of your air conditioner for dirt. To do this, you will need to open it up. Before you do so, check with the manual for the manufacturer's instructions on how to do so. As with any electrical appliance, make sure the power supply is off and disconnected before you perform any maintenance on your ac. Clean off the inside of your ac. Depending on your particular type of unit, you may have to resort to the instructions that are provided in the manual.

One important step that many people tend to neglect is keeping the unit cool. In order for your air conditioner to be able to generate cool air to cool your home, it needs to be kept from being exposed to sources of heat. The one source of heat most people forget is the sun. If your ac is sitting in direct sunlight, then it gets extremely hot while cooling your home. You can keep your ac out of the sun by using a patio umbrella or shade from a tree. To prevent your ac from overheating, you also need to learn how to use it effectively. Try keeping it set to a particular temperature to avoid overworking it. Also try not to constantly be turning the unit on and off. If you use a thermostat, keep it set to auto instead of using the fan option.

These tips will save you money on your utility bills; keep you from having to pay for repairs and from buying replacements. If you find that after doing all of these suggestions that you are still having problems with your ac, it's time for you to give the experts a call.