When it comes to air conditioning maintenance, there are several things you should know before starting. The first step is to turn off your power. Make sure that the breaker box is unplugged and turn off the power at the breaker panel. Next, check the fins on your condenser. If they are bent, a rough paint brush will work for removing the debris. If you can’t find the problem, use the vacuum cleaner brush attachment to straighten them. Then, clean the area around your condenser to remove any plant growth or objects. If the fins are twisted, you can use an old dinner knife to remove it.
Check the filter. You can find the filter on the indoor unit either horizontally or vertically. You can also find it inside the blower cabinet on older models. You can use a vacuum attachment to clean the filter, and then replace it with a new one. To prevent future overheating, you should check for loose connections on the electrical components. If you are unsure about any of these steps, call a professional HVAC repairman. They can also perform condenser unit maintenance as part of a bi-annual or yearly checkup.
If you don’t have HVAC knowledge, you can try to do some air conditioning maintenance yourself. The first step is to remove the condenser unit and the filter. Then, check the condenser for overheating. Look for burned-looking wires, melted insulation, or blackened or burned-looking wires. You can also check the electrical connections. You can also check the capacitors. If you aren’t comfortable with these steps, call a professional HVAC technician. If you don’t have a reliable HVAC repairman in your area, they can include condenser unit maintenance in your bi-annual air conditioning maintenance.
AC units need to be cleaned regularly. If you’re having trouble cleaning your unit, you can buy a fin comb and straighten the aluminum coil fins. If the fins are clogged or bent, contact a professional. If the drain line is clogged, you can use a garden hose to clean it. Pressure washers can damage the AC, so be sure to use caution. Lastly, you should trim the shrubbery surrounding the AC unit so that it can breathe properly.
During an air conditioning maintenance visit, the technician will turn off the power and open the AC unit. After checking the coils, the technician will remove visible dirt with a broom. If they’re clogged, the cleaner must be sprayed on the coils and allowed to soak for 15 minutes to remove the grease. If the condenser drain line is plugged, the repair will be more complicated and may require more time.
The second step in air conditioner maintenance is cleaning the condenser. During this step, the electricity should be turned off and the unit should be checked for signs of overheating. If the unit is not overheating, you should check the electrical connections and capacitors. If you are not comfortable performing the maintenance, call a local HVAC professional. Many HVAC professionals can include the condenser unit maintenance in their biannual checkups.