AC Maintenance: Routine Tasks and Tips for Homeowners

Change your AC filters: Your air conditioner’s filter helps improve air quality by trapping dust, dander, lint, and other harmful particles. Filters are a crucial component in AC maintenance and something you can feel comfortable taking charge of yourself. It’s best practice to try and change your filters once every three months. When it’s time to change your AC filters, follow these five easy steps:

• Before you find your air filter, make sure your unit is off completely, so you can prevent dirty air from circulating while no filter is installed.
• Once your unit is off, locate your air filter, typically behind the return vent, which can be on the ceiling or floor in a central part of your home.
• After locating the return vent, unhook the latch on the cover. If there is dust buildup on the cover, be sure to wipe it down with warm water and a cloth.
• From there, you should be able to slide out your old filter and replace it with a new one, then simply secure the cover back on. If you have a ductless or window unit, the return vent and air filter will be found directly on the air conditioner, but you can follow these same steps once you locate the filter.
• Don’t forget, if you have multiple AC units, you’ll have multiple filters to change!

Keep the outside portion of your unit clear: If you have a central or packaged air conditioner, the unit will be located outside. It’s important to keep the area surrounding your outdoor AC clean and debris-free. A good rule of thumb is to not let any plants or other wildlife grow within a 3-foot radius of your air conditioner. If plants, trees, or weeds grow too close to your AC, it could interfere with its functionality. Additionally, if you see things like leaf buildup or animal nests around your unit, it’s safe to remove them so they don’t get caught in your air conditioner.

Level your unit: Over time, the pad where the outdoor portion of your air conditioner sits can begin to droop or sink due to soil erosion or settlement. If your unit isn’t level, it can cause parts inside to become misaligned and fail early. Use a level tool to make sure your unit is aligned correctly. If you find your unit to be lopsided, you can place rot-resistant shims under the base to bring it back to the right place.

• AC coil maintenance: In HVAC systems there are two types of coils: the evaporator coil and the condenser coil. The evaporator coil is found inside the home and is responsible for absorbing heat, while the condenser coil is located outside the home and is responsible for releasing heat outdoors. Without these two essential coils your system wouldn’t be able to function properly, which is why it’s so important that they are maintained with JDR Mechanical!
• Coil maintenance should be handled by JDR Mechanical once a year. When your technician comes for coil maintenance, you can expect them to turn off your AC unit completely, open it up, remove any visible dirt or debris with a broom, then spray the coils with cleaner and allow them to soak for at least 15 minutes to get rid of any excess grease. The technician will also inspect the coils for damage or leaks, to make sure they’re functioning properly.
• Check and refill refrigerant levels: Refrigerant is another essential component for an air conditioner to function. Refrigerant is a chemical cooling compound that absorbs and releases heat to ultimately cool your home. While it plays a crucial role in cooling, refrigerant is a very dangerous chemical that should only be handled by JDR Mechanical with an EPA Section 608 certification. Before the cooling season begins, ask JDR Mechanical to take a look at the levels of refrigerant in your unit, to ensure that it has enough refrigerant to effectively cool your home for the entire season. If it doesn’t, your JDR Mechanical technician will refill it and dispose of any excess chemicals in the correct way.
• Clean the blower: The blower is the part of your air conditioner that sends newly cooled air back into your home. Any accumulation of dust or other particles on the blower means that it might get blown back into your home and compromise air quality. JDR Mechanical will inspect and clean the blower motor, fan and belt connecting it to the rest of the unit to ensure it’s functioning properly. If needed, JDR Mechanical will lubricate the fan motor and pulleys to make the process run smoothly.
• If your AC unit is not working, or you are experiencing any issues with your HVAC system, contact JDR Mechanical today to get a professional’s help. AC maintenance should only be handled by a licensed HVAC professional as cleaning and servicing your home’s heating and cooling equipment can be messy, dangerous, and tiresome. Professionals have the skills and training to not only minimize the mess, but also the expertise to locate and fix potentially hazardous issues.