5 Easy AC Care Tips
Living in the Sonoran Desert comes with a few givens – beautiful sunsets, clear skies, high temperatures, and a need for a working air conditioning system. Naturally, your AC works hardest throughout the summer months to keep you cool, but it’s worth noting that routine maintenance should be performed to keep your system running properly and efficiently. By keeping up maintenance throughout the year, you can prolong the life of your unit, and save tons of money on energy costs.
Check out these 5 easy AC care tips to help your unit stay in tip-top shape.
1. CHANGE YOUR FILTERS
Probably one of the easiest and most forgotten tasks in your list of home maintenance! Make a habit of checking your AC filters at the end of every month, making sure to clean out or replace them monthly for maximum efficiency. If you have worked with us before, you already know we will help you stay on top of your filters with our reminders throughout the year. At the end of the day, if monthly seems excessive to you, aim for a filter replacement every month.
2. ANNUAL SERVICE
This is one of those items you don’t want to DIY. Call a licensed professional to inspect your AC unit and do an annual system maintenance service during spring to avoid the busy summer season. You might even consider doing this around February to stay ahead of the game.
3. CHECK YOUR CONDENSING UNIT
If your condensing unit is accessible to you (meaning it’s not on the roof of your 2-story home), clear out any branches, twigs, and all debris off of it. You can clean your condenser unit by first shutting off the power and removing the fan. Be careful as there can be a lot of dirt and buildup, depending on the last time it was cleaned. You can use a garden hose to clean the fins, spraying from the inside of the unit to clean off the dirt. The fins are delicate, so take special care when cleaning and drying them.
You should also check the unit’s fins to see if they’re bent. If so, you can find replacements at your local hardware store. As always, if you don’t feel comfortable taking on this maintenance task on your own, give us a call. We’re happy to make a recommendation for a professional provider to assist you.
Once done, replace the fan grill. Your AC now has a clean and improved condenser to take on our hot summer months!
4. KEEP THE SURROUNDING AREA CLEAR
Trim any shrubs, trees, and plants near the condensing unit to ensure proper airflow and circulation. Not only will this help minimize the amount of debris that gets collected around your unit, but it will help it work efficiently, keeping your energy costs down, and prevent damage to the unit itself.
5. PEST-PROOF YOUR SYSTEM
Did you know pack rats can climb most of the exterior walls of your home? Brick and textured exterior walls give rodents the ability to hang their tiny paws and facilitate their climbing into the attic of your home. Once in, they can easily eat a hole onto the flexible line that supplies conditioned air into your living spaces. Doesn’t sound like much fun for you, does it? A good way to prevent these pesky desert friends is to add air vents, flue covers, and sealing air ducts.
If you suspect you may have rodents in your AC system, contact a professional. The last thing you want is to have a pack rat (or two) die in the ductwork of your home.
While summer in Tucson brings lots of fun, it also arrives with a list of maintenance items. As always, we have a list of reliable and affordable professionals to assist in your home maintenance. Give us a call or connect with us! We’re happy to help you in keeping your family comfortable, and your home in great shape.