Spring has sprung, and pretty soon, summer will be well underway. As cold weather bids adieu, every homeowner needs to start preparing for warmer weather, and that means making sure that the air conditioning system is ready for the long haul.
Air conditioning maintenance is something that many homeowners leave to the professionals. But experts in air conditioning maintenance London offers always advise homeowners to take charge in doing simple HVAC maintenance and upkeep which helps extend the life of their cooling systems.
Replacing air conditioners after a few years is not financially feasible. However, if you do not take proper care, you might have to shell out a lot of money for a new one. People have a wrong notion that regular maintenance is technically difficult, and should not be done at home.
If you follow a few simple steps, you will find out that small maintenance issues for air conditioners are easily doable at home. All you need to do is be careful, hands-on, and eager to save a few hard-earned bucks.
Cleaning and replacing filters:
An essential AC maintenance step is to clean or replace air filters. Throughout the year, air filters get contaminated with dust, dirt, and other pollutants as air circulate. When the unit is in heavy use, replacing the filters at least once a month is ideal. On the other hand, when the system is barely used such as during the autumn or spring, replacing filters at least once throughout the season is sufficient.
One of the dangers of forgetting to replace the filters is that blocked filters will hinder air flow. The system will work harder and use more energy in the process. If the filter is no longer capable of trapping contaminants from the air, the air quality will also deteriorate causing allergy and asthma attacks for residents.
Inspecting wiring and other components:
Before contacting an air conditioning maintenance technician, examine the entire system and take note of any faults you notice in the installation or other parts. Some of the things to look out for include loose connections, burnt wires, and melted insulation. Unless you are a technician yourself, do not attempt to fix any issues you find with these sensitive parts. Instead, contact a technician right away and explain your findings in detail.
Check the thermostat:
Some of the most common issues encountered with an HVAC system are related to the thermostat. There are instances when it is not set correctly, or it needs replacement. These days, it is best to invest in a digital thermostat rather than keep using an old model. A programmable thermostat has excellent features that can add to your convenience and also help you save money. For example, you can program temperature settings for different hours of the day or different days of the week. This way, you will not have to manually change the temperature when the cooling requirement increases or decreases.
Check the condenser fan:
The condenser fan is located in the outside unit of an AC system. Check the fan blades for signs of rust or cracks and remove any debris and dirt stuck to any part of the outdoor unit. Apart from cleaning the fan, you may need to oil the bearings so that it works correctly.
Call a maintenance technician:
After completing these necessary AC maintenance steps, the last thing you need to do is to contact an HVAC technician to perform a comprehensive maintenance check on the unit. There may be parts that need replacement, and the unit will have to undergo a thorough professional cleaning before it is ready for another season of heavy use.
By doing most of the steps at home, you will ensure the longevity of your air conditioner, along with saving time, effort, and more importantly, money!
