With summer coming, your air conditioner is going to start getting a lot more use, and that can lead to problems if you don’t take care to prepare for the season. Spring is a great time to schedule professional HVAC maintenance to check your HVAC system and make sure it is ready to go, but there are a few DIY air conditioner tricks you can use as well.
For the most part, these DIY air conditioner tips will involve making sure your system is clean and free of debris. Cleaning and maintenance also allows you to take stock of your air conditioner and address any problems you might find. As you go through these DIY air conditioner cleaning methods, look out for leaks, breakages, and other issues, and if you find any get in touch with your local heating & air conditioning professionals right away.
DIY Air Conditioner Spring Cleaning
Our main DIY air conditioner tip is to include your air conditioner in your spring cleaning routine. Just as you clear clutter from your house and debris from the yard, you want to remove any debris that has built up around the outside condenser unit. One note on these DIY air conditioner tips: make sure your unit is switched off before doing any cleaning or maintenance!
When you are ready to begin, you should fist remove any debris from the base of the condenser, as well as the drain if it has one. After, clean the fan with a vacuum and rags to remove buildup.
Once you have cleared debris from the condenser, there are several other areas that tend to collect buildup and are safe for you to clean on your own. Check the condensation lines, outside coils, and evaporator if accessible. The condensation lines sometimes get backed up with things like mold and algae during the winter and can be cleaned with a handheld shop vac. For the coils, if they were covered over the winter, spray them down with water. If not, you might need coil cleaner which is available at most hardware stores. Finally, if your evaporator is accessible, you can clean it with a wire brush.
Additional DIY Air Conditioner Tips
Beyond cleaning, you should replace the air filter for your system as well. For central units, the filter is usually located behind a metal panel on the face of the blower. Just unscrew the panel and replace the filter. You can do this as often as you want (and most manufacturers typically recommend replacement every 1 – 3 months), as frequent replacement helps air conditioners run better. When you are done cleaning and replacing the filter, it is time to test things out.
The final step of your DIY air conditioner maintenance should be to turn on the system and see how it runs. If there are still issues, it may be time to call in a professional.
Call in a Professional for Air Conditioner Maintenance
If you attempted DIY air conditioner maintenance and notice that your system is still making odd noises, not running well, or stopping and starting, get in touch with the local St. Louis heating & air conditioning experts at Galmiche & Sons today. These can all be signs that something serious is wrong with your unit, and if you have just cleaned it, it is unlikely the problem is something simple like a clogged condensation line or a dirty air filter.
