As the average Houston homeowner spends more than a quarter of its energy budget on air conditioning alone, it’s vital to find ways to save. One of the best ways to save money is to keep your unit working properly with regular maintenance. For homeowners in Houston, air conditioning maintenance is a way to keep a unit running smoothly and at maximum efficiency.
Here are six tips that you need to know.
1. Clean Your Air Filters
One of the easiest things to do as a homeowner is to clean the air filters on your air conditioner. The filters are responsible for blocking out all the harmful dust and dirt that’s sucked into the machine as it runs. It also keeps bacteria and microorganisms out.
One of the best impacts it has on your home is to keep out insects and pests. However, if you don’t clean out your filters, you make it harder for your machine to run. The holes on the air filter will get clogged and when your machine tries to run, it’s going to have to work harder to do less.
Air filters are usually easy for you to access. Lift up the front panel of your unit or if you have vents for airflow, there’s probably a filter there. Larger HVAC units need to have their filters replaced a few times a year.
2. Remove Exterior Dirt
The dirt on the outside of your air conditioning unit could be making things harder for you. When the outdoor compressor is cluttered and clogged with debris, it’s not going to run efficiently.
Your compressor needs to be outside so that it can bring in lots of fresh air. However, animal waste, dust, dirt, and leaves can easily get into the machine. These impurities not only end up in your air but also get in the way of the function of the machine.
When a machine is working harder, it’s going to break down sooner. Outdoor compressors aren’t designed to handle extra weight or obstructions. Cleaning up your impurities on a monthly basis ensures that you’re not hindered by foliage.
If you can put it above-ground foliage, you can save yourself a lot of hassle with just a two-foot lift beneath the unit.
3. Consider Covering it When Not in Use
If you’re not using your AC unit for the next few months, leaving it dormant could lead it to degrade. During the winter, it’s a hassle to remove an AC unit. However, you should still consider ways to keep it carefully wrapped.
If you’re going on a month-long vacation, that’s another reason to wrap it up. Wrapping your air conditioner with packaging, a box, or cloth can ensure that you keep dust particles out of the components. This extra layer of protection ensures it maintains its efficiency.
If you have a larger HVAC system, you can turn it off and disconnect it before you cover it to ensure you don’t run into issues. Make sure to leave a note over the switch or panel to remind you months later to clear the covering before you get it started again.
4. Deal With Refrigerant Leaks
Leaks of your refrigerant are not only dangerous but also can be costly. Leaks can be caused just by the vibration of the mechanism over time. It can also be a problem because of a joint in the coil that’s not properly fitted.
If you need to refill your unit with refrigerant, it’s going to be costly. The cost of the material has become increasingly expensive over time. Regular checks for leaks in your air conditioner is vital to ensure that you don’t run into problems.
Many of the best units out there have detection and diagnosis built into the machine. They’ll let you know if there’s a refrigerant leakage problem as soon as it begins. However, if your unit is a little bit older, it might not have this mechanism.
Having a unit that can decrease compressor friction and vibration helps to prevent leakage. If you maintain your refrigerant gas, your unit will last much longer.
5. Watch For Corrosion
It’s very common for condenser coils to become corroded. As they’re exposed to dust and salt along with moisture, they’re susceptible to deterioration.
Even just a small layer of dust can reduce the heat exchange capacity of the unit. Watch out for this issue on older units.
Indoor units have evaporator coils that can also collect dust. This unintended insulation keeps your unit from cooling as fast as it should.
6. Clean Out Your Drain Pipe
Just like the dust and debris that build up in your filter, you can also build up sludge in your drain pipe. While the pipe removes the extensive moisture from the room that allows you to get a nice breeze, it also takes some impurities with it. This can even cause clogs.
Take a wire and move it through the drainpipe to ensure that you keep it clear. Any blockage could keep your unit from working properly as the water can’t move quickly enough. When you lose moisture control, mildew can grow and bad smells can fill the air.
Houston Air Conditioning Maintenance Professionals Can Help
If you’re in Houston, air conditioning maintenance professionals are the best way to ensure your system works to maximum efficiency. Rather than replacing your whole system, doing a little bit of maintenance can prevent major issues down the road.
Summer’s not quite over yet! If you need your AC serviced before it really starts to cool down, contact us to make an appointment!