Your air conditioning unit is a godsend when it gets too hot outside. The relief you feel walking into a cool home after being in the scorching sun is indescribable. Keeping your air conditioning unit in top shape must be a priority. Without a functioning air conditioner, you will feel miserable when the temperatures rise. Plus, air conditioning repairs can be costly if they are not dealt with in a timely manner. Staying on top of your AC maintenance gives you peace of mind and saves you money. Here are three tips for maintaining your air conditioning unit.

Wash your permanent air filter in the dishwasher.

It is important to clean your air filter regularly. If you have a permanent air filter, you can do this in your dishwasher to save time. Simply turn off the hot air drying cycle. A permanent air filter can also be washed by hand with warm, soapy water. Whichever method you choose for washing it, you should allow it to dry on a cool, flat surface to keep it from losing its shape. A pleated paper air filter should be replaced every few weeks, especially when you are running your air conditioning unit frequently. This keeps your ducts clean so that you don't have dusty, polluted air circulating through your house when you run your AC unit.

Have your AC unit inspected once a year.

You should have your air conditioning unit inspected once a year by an HVAC specialist. This visit is very helpful because the technician is able to identify any underlying problems with your AC unit. This helps you to head off those underlying problems before they damage your unit and require costly repairs. This visit should ideally happen in one of the more temperate seasons due to their moderate temperatures. Autumn is an ideal time to get your AC unit serviced for this reason.

Clean the condenser coil once a month.

The condenser coil of your air conditioning unit is usually located outside your home. You should keep it free of debris and plants and make sure that it is situated somewhere in the shade. The condenser coil releases heat from your AC unit so that the cooling chemical is kept cold, allowing it to cool air circulating throughout your home. Vacuum away any debris that obstructs the coil. Keeping the condenser coil clear of debris and plant growth allows you to enjoy cool air.