Winter Is Here! The Perfect Time To Maintain Air Conditioner For Next Season

Now that winter is coming, it's time for homeowners to prepare their air conditioners with the right maintenance. Having your system fixed before the start of spring will make sure it's in top working condition once the weather gets warm. With the changing of the season, many homeowners forget to prepare their air conditioning units. The following air conditioning maintenance information will help with these tasks this season:

Service the Unit

If you want your air conditioning to run smoothly after the cold season, now is the time to take care of it. It will help you save money on utility and repair bills in the long run. You should follow the tips below to ensure that you are taking good care of your AC unit during this time of year:

  • Clear your AC drain line—You need to clean out any debris in your drain lines because it could cause clogs and cause the unit to malfunction. To avoid expensive repairs, have this done by professionals. You can do this using a snake or auger to clear the debris from the line.
  • Get your air filters changed regularly—The air filters are essential for keeping allergens out of your ductwork system and preventing dirt build-up within your AC unit itself. Have them inspected regularly for potential damage or clogging, then have them replaced or cleaned if needed.
  • Have your AC unit inspected regularly—This is an important step that you should not skip because it can protect you from expensive and unexpected breakdowns and repairs. It can also help you determine whether the unit needs to be replaced soon for more efficient cooling and few breakdowns.

These are some of the things you want to do to take care of your AC this winter, but there are other things that need to be done too.

Clean the Coils

Keeping the coils clean is important because that is where air conditioners get dirty, causing them to work harder to cool your home. Dirty coils must work harder, which uses more energy. As such, if you see these signs, it's time to clean your air conditioner coils:

  • Air conditioner not cooling efficiently
  • High energy bills
  • The room feels too warm

Cleaning the coils every couple of years will help keep your unit running efficiently and save you money on energy bills.

Adjust Ducts

As the air conditioner blows out cool air through ductwork, this cooling can also be lost due to leaks or long stretches of the duct. This is often the single biggest source of wasted energy in homes. To minimize this, opt for fixing leaks and shorten sections of ducts wherever possible. If you have uninsulated ducts, consider adding insulation to them to keep conditioned air inside your home.

If you're using an electric heat pump, it's important to make sure that there are no excess gaps or holes in all of your return registers. These openings are necessary for an electric heat pump to work well, but they can make a difference in your energy bills if they aren't sealed properly. You might also have dampers inside the ducts that direct air and need to be adjusted every season. This is because dampers control the flow of hot or cold air depending on if you are using your heating or cooling.

Make sure your HVAC system is working efficiently and is without problems every season. You can do this by scheduling an air conditioning maintenance service to help with these tasks. Contact an air conditioning maintenance service to learn more. 

Share