Did you know that the steps you complete to take care of your air conditioner from month to month are the biggest difference maker when it comes to maintaining energy efficiency and effective cooling? It’s true, and you can keep reading for more about our tips for taking care of your air conditioner no matter how young or old the unit is.
If you have any questions about these maintenance or suspect that something is going wrong inside of your air conditioner, you can give our team a call to schedule AC repair in Northbrook, IL. We’re always here to help, no matter how big or small your air conditioning problems are.
Air Filter
Taking care of the air filter inside of your air conditioner is a twofold process. Your first step is to select the right air filter for your AC unit. We recommend an air filter with a MERV rating of somewhere between eight and 13. An air filter with a lower rating may not capture enough dust and dirt, while a stronger filter may have fibers that are woven so tightly they actually block airflow into your unit.
Once you select a filter, you need to note how often it needs to be changed out. The frequency can range from anywhere between one and three months. We suggest writing the date on the edge of the filter so you know exactly when you put it into place. Then count ahead to when you’ll need to change it out based on how long it’s rated to ask for.
Go ahead and mark a reminder down on your calendar or set a reminder in your phone. Changing out the air filter on time is crucial to keeping your air conditioner running efficiently and preventing dust and other particles from getting into the system.
Condensate Drain Line
The condensate drain line is where humidity gathers to form droplets and drains outside of your home. Managing humidity levels is a great way to make your home feel more comfortable. But if the condensate drain line gets clogged with dust and mold, your air conditioner will not work as effectively as it needs to.
Water can spill out of the line and cause water damage your home or the moisture can re-evaporate into the air, making your home even more humid. The only thing you need to do with the condensate drain line is pour half a cup of vinegar and put a line once each month.
This is another task that you can create a reminder for. If you have an air filter that needs to be changed out monthly, it’s easy to remember to complete both of these tasks at the same time. If your filter needs to be changed out less often, you still need to rinse out the condensate drain line every single month.
Outdoor Unit
It’s also a good idea once each month to take a look at the outdoor unit and just make sure that everything looks good. Sometimes debris can hit the outdoor unit during storms and cause the fins to bend. You can use that butter knife to gently straighten out the delicate fins to maintain optimal airflow.
It’s also a good idea to use gentle water pressure to hose down the outdoor unit to eliminate any buildup. If you notice any debris that is stuck in the unit, go ahead and get it out. If you notice anything out of the ordinary as far as operation, you can give our team a call to come and check it out.
Contact Roberts Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. today to schedule your air conditioning appointment as soon as possible.