Leimert Park Heating and Air offer this blog to entail some of the most important August air conditioning maintenance guidelines to every homeowner with an AC unit.
It is true that some of us can’t take hot temperatures for too long, especially in hot California cities like Leimert Park in Los Angeles. Without air conditioning, life in these hotter parts of the United States would be unbearable and downright dangerous for certain people. While it is important to keep cool and balance your body temperature on hot days, running your AC in these conditions can also be quite detrimental for them. Whether it is a central system or a window unit, do not overwork your air conditioner!
- Make Sure the AC Works
Nothing is worse than turning on your air conditioner for the first time on a 90-degree day and discovering that it doesn’t work. The sooner you begin testing, the sooner you will know if there are any problems with your AC and be able to fix them before the intense summer heat wave. There is no harm to doing some inspection anytime!
- Schedule An AC Maintenance Before Summer
Do not hold off until the middle of summer, when it is already really hot. Avoid the discomfort of having no functional AC unit during the warmest months of the year, and schedule maintenance if you have not hired air conditioning services for the past year! If you notice any problems, minor or significant, it is best to hire a technician for ac repair in August!
- Inspect Filters Once a Month
One of the first few steps in improving your air conditioner’s performance is regularly checking the air filters. It is one of the simplest methods to increase your unit’s performance and preserve its long-term condition. Consider inspecting them weekly and cleaning or replacing them as needed.
- Maintain a Clean, Shaded Area around the Condenser
If flanked by weeds and old furniture, your outdoor condenser won’t function as well as it should. Invest effort in cleaning up the area and ensuring it stays under a shade to protect your AC unit. The condenser tends to heat up if left exposed to sunlight and hot temperature, making it extra challenging to operate. Also, avoid obstructing the vents with nearby objects around the unit.
- Keep Drain Lines Clean
Once every few months, use a vinegar and water solution to cleanse your drain line to keep it clear. Using warm water can make it better, however, avoid using bleach because it deteriorates the adhesive that holds the pipe connections.
- Always Check Your AC’s Refrigerant Level
Using a series of gauges connected to the system while your AC is unused can help you determine the refrigerant level. However, it takes some technical know-how to hook up a gauge set to an HVAC system. If you are unsure whether or not it needs replenishing, it is best to call an HVAC specialist.
- Inspect the AC Evaporator Coils Often
The evaporator coils in your air conditioning system are what actually removes heat from the air in your home. You can lightly dust the coils with a soft brush, use a blast of vacuum air for deeply ingrained debris, or splash them with some coil cleaner spray.
- Apply Grease to the Compressor and/or Fan Motors
Fans and belt-driven compressors in older air conditioners need regular lubrication. However, if you are not sure how to do it, you can always read your manual or check for some instructions online.
- Hose Down Your Unit
Simply spraying the device with water from a garden hose should be enough to loosen the grime settling inside. Even an ordinary garden hose can do the deed by using it to flush the dust and debris from the air conditioner. No need to get your hands all filthy!
- Hire a Certified HVAC Technician to Handle Needed AC Repairs
Sometimes, we are too busy to clean and inspect our HVAC units ourselves. Our technicians can offer you their expertise to maintain and do needed AC repairs on your units to get it ready for the summertime!
If you feel like your air conditioning unit is not as efficient as before, consider getting in touch with Leimert Park Heating and Air to know which actions to take to improve it. Drop us a line now!