When the summer season makes things brutally hot and humid, the last thing you need is inadequate performance from your air conditioning system. A little regular maintenance can be the difference between suffering through the summer and staying cool and comfortable, and even if you don’t consider yourself an appliance expert, there are some DIY things you can do. Here are five quick AC maintenance tips that can help you beat the heat in Stony Brook, NY.
- Change your filter: AC experts recommend you change the filter on your system at least twice a year: once when the heating season begins, and again when you reach the start of the cooling season. If you forget to do this, the reduced airflow can really cut down on the cooling power of your AC.
- Make sure your unit is level: As the soil under your condenser unit begins to settle, it can actually tip a bit, which can reduce its efficiency and even cause it to fail. Use a level to check for problems, and use rot-proof material to ensure your unit stays flush with the ground in the future.
- Clean the evaporator coil: Changing the filter should reduce the amount of dirt collected on your AC’s evaporator coil, but you should still set aside time once a year to check and clean it. A brush can be used to dust it off, and you can buy coil cleaner to ensure it stays spotless.
- Straighten the fins: Your evaporator and condenser coils have aluminum fins that will bend over time, keeping air from flowing freely through the unit. Purchase a fin comb and put those fins back in their place, ensuring you don’t lose access to the cool air.
- Cover your unit for winter: This bit of preventative maintenance really is as simple as covering the part of your unit that sits outdoors — which will protect it from winter weather and the debris that comes with it.
Taking good care of your air conditioning system can ensure you stay cool and dry throughout the summer — and a lot of this care can be done yourself. But if you’re not confident in your DIY abilities, or you’re beginning to face more serious problems with your unit, call Outstanding for the best AC maintenance in Stony Brook, NY. Their trust-certified technicians will help you stay out of the heat during the tough summer months.