Can you imagine a scorching hot day here in Central Texas without air conditioning? During those dog days of summer, your air conditioner can be your very best friend.
Be sure to perform basic maintenance regularly and invest in a professional AC tune-up at least once a year. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, good maintenance can save money and reduce your energy usage.
Here’s a comprehensive air conditioning maintenance checklist, courtesy of Leander’s favorite professionals at MLD Services, to help keep your system in excellent working order between our annual tune-ups.
Wondering what AC maintenance tasks you can handle yourself? While some jobs are best left to the pros, homeowners can take several simple steps to keep their cooling system running smoothly.
What AC Maintenance Can I Do?
From checking airflow and changing filters to using your senses and spotting signs of trouble, here are key maintenance tips that help extend your system’s lifespan and improve performance—without needing a toolbox full of skills.
Check Your Air Circulation
Perhaps the most important thing to be sure you have around your air conditioner is plenty of space for good air circulation. Most air conditioners have a unit that sits outside your home.
Change the AC’s Air Filters
It’s a good idea to inspect this area to be sure leaves, sticks, and other yard debris are cleared every spring. Once the summer gets into full swing, don’t forget to mow and use a weed whacker around your unit as well.
Uses Your Senses to Monitor Your Air Conditioner
Ensuring you regularly change your air filters accomplishes the goal of providing good airflow. Your system likely has an air filter at the handler and wherever you may have an intake vent located in your home.
Check the AC’s Thermostat
If you have a clogged filter, your air conditioning system may have to work harder to move air throughout the unit, which can wear parts down prematurely.Replacing a clogged filter with a clean one can lower your AC’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Pay attention to the recommended life of your filters (usually 30–90 days) and change them on time.
Look for Ice Buildup on the Air Conditioning Coils
General awareness of how your air conditioning system should sound and look can be simple. If you notice something doesn’t look quite right, your air conditioner suddenly makes unusual sounds, or it emits strange odors, it can signal a need for air conditioning repair or maintenance.
Monitor for AC Coolant Leaks
If your thermostat is not working properly, it will not send the correct information to your air conditioner. As a result, your system can’t work properly. In addition, if a broken thermostat causes your system to cycle on and off too frequently, it can cause longer-term damage to your entire air conditioning system.
Schedule an Annual AC Tune-Up
Periodically inspect the function of your AC and verify the settings are still adequate for your cooling needs.
Contact MLD Services for All Your Air Conditioning Needs
Check your AC coils every few months. If you notice ice building up on your air conditioning evaporator coil, you probably have an airflow problem. Double-check to be sure your filter and air ducts are clean.
Read More of Our Articles
If you have a lot of ice, you may need to shut off your system, defrost it all, ensure air circulation is fine, and then turn it back on. If the problem continues, it’s a good idea to call one of our professionals to conduct an inspection.