A well-functioning air conditioner is essential to feeling comfortable throughout the summer. One of the worst things that can happen during an unbearably hot summer day is for the AC to stop working. You can prevent that with routine maintenance. Furthermore, keeping up with regular AC maintenance will ensure your unit works effectively with the least amount of energy possible. That means you stay cooler for less money than you would with a malfunctioning air conditioner. Follow this checklist a couple of times each year to keep your AC strong and healthy, and schedule annual maintenance with an HVAC company.

Determine If You Need to Level the Unit

You don’t want to get an electric shock or get hurt by the moving parts. So, before you begin, turn off the AC unit. The soil underneath the AC unit can settle, making the ground uneven. When that happens, the unit tilts. If your unit is uneven, fix this by lifting the unit on the uneven side and shoveling dirt underneath until it is level.

Remove and Clean Out the Fan Cage

Remove the fan cage from the unit and pull out the leaves, twigs, and other debris that has gotten caught in the metal slats.

Brush the Dirt Off of the Condenser Fins

The narrow, metal slats, called condenser fins, accumulate dirt. Remove the dirt with a soft brush. Sometimes, the dirt gets embedded in the slats. Use a butter knife to remove the embedded dirt. After that, rinse the fins with a low-pressure spray using a garden hose.

Use a Butter Knife to Straighten Bent Fins

Condenser fins can bend because of pressure washing, storms, and other outside elements. Straighten them with gentle pressure from a butter knife or a fin comb.

Remove Dirt from the Evaporator Coil

Locate the evaporator coil inside the unit and remove dirt with a soft brush. Once you’re done, spray the coil with no-rinse coil spray.

Clean the Evaporator Drain

The AC removes moisture from the air. As it’s doing this, the evaporator drain picks up dirt and becomes a breeding ground for mold. All of that can clog the drain. To unclog it, locate the drain. Then, suck out the mold and crud with a wet/dry vacuum.

Replace the Air Filter

Replace the old filter with a new one. Do this every three months, but if you use the AC a lot, replace the filters every month.

Stay Cool When It’s Hot Outside

If your AC needs repairs, call us today at We Care Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric Conditioning in Central GA/FL Panhandle to schedule a service appointment. Our highly experienced technicians will keep you and your family comfortable throughout the summer.