We are already in mid-April which means that before long we will be needing to use our air conditioning units. To make sure its in great working condition when we need it, now is a good time to give our central air conditioning systems a spring clean. We should note that it’s a good idea to have a professional come and give it a yearly check, however, there are some things you as the homeowner can do as well.
With an outside unit, no doubt, the winter months have left it covered in all kinds of dirt and debris. Clear the area of any leaves, spider webs and branches etc. that will have accumulated around the unit. Remove the cover of the a/c unit to clean this also as a lot of dirt tends to gather there. When you remove the cover, you will see hundreds of metal fins, these surround coils of piping. Very often these fins bend so you can straighten them using a special tool called a fin comb.
Another important maintenance step is to check the filter. It might just require a good clean but sometimes its necessary to replace the filter altogether. The reason this is so important is that a dirty a/c filter will greatly affect the homes air quality. It can also create strain on the motor.
Your central air conditioning unit is designed with drainage lines that draw away condensed water. Over time these drainage lines can clog up meaning the a/c unit will not function correctly. Check to see they are not blocked and that they are firmly fixed to the unit itself.
The a/c unit may require oil but, before you do this yourself, check the operating manual so that you have the right oil.
When we finally see those long summer days, we want to think about the fun we will have. Good spring maintenance in the home will mean less work later on.
