Clean and Clear: A Guide to AC Maintenance for Optimal Performance

Clean, Clear, and Cool – That’s how an AC makes you feel during the heat waves of the summer season. Naturally, these three words combine to become the coolest words that start with the letter “C”, complimenting the “coolest” thing during summertime.

Often it may leave you wondering, “why isn’t my AC cooling as it used to?”. Well, perhaps the right question you should be asking is “Am I maintaining my AC the way it should be?”. For a machine or a device, maintenance is the key factor that ensures optimal performance.

“Preventive Maintenance” is the answer to your worries– the concept is simple, it is to make sure you are keeping your AC maintained before detecting any sort of problems. It enables your AC’s cooling & heating system to function efficiently, adding up to the lifespan, and ensuring it’s in the best of conditions.

The blog is aimed to inform and give maintenance insights & tips on how to keep your AC functioning just like the first day when it was installed. So, keep reading to know the simple steps or procedures for the upkeep of your cooling device.

Is your AC running but ain’t cooling?

Before we jump into looking at the maintenance tips & insights on how to keep your AC performing at an optimum rate, it is also essential for one to know about “the usual suspects” why your AC may not be cooling!

The following mentions below could be for the many reasons:

1. Faulty Thermostat Settings:

   Incorrect or faulty settings in the thermostat usually result in blowing out warm and unpleasant air out of your AC.

2. Clogged Air Filters:

   The purpose of air filters is to keep the dust & debris from getting in– so when the air filters get clogged it results in reduced airflow from the AC.

3. Ventilation Blockage:

   The outdoor units are built to get the cold air pushed out during the colder season and vice versa. The ventilation of the unit gets blocked usually from the debris or leaves– it's an easy fix, by cleaning or removing the blockers.

   
   

4. Frozen Evaporator Coils:

   Evaporator coils are essential for removing heat and humidity to pass cold air to the room. So, when the evaporator coils get frozen up, it is unable to transfer heat effectively, ultimately losing the cooling ability of your AC.

5. Leaks in the Refrigerant:

   A refrigerant leak causes greater wear and tear on your cooling system as it ages, as well as an increase in energy bills. It is advised to contact the maintenance team ASAP.

6. Leaky Ducts:

   The system can lose up to a third of its air due to leaky ducts or insufficient insulation, however it can be prevented by properly sealing and insulating the ducts.

DIY AC Maintenance Insights you Should Know & Follow:

Sometimes knowing some simple steps or tricks to maintain your AC may prevent major issues from happening or calling an expert to fix it.

If you follow the simple steps discussed below your AC could perform in excellent condition and run like brand new all summer with ease:

1. Turn Off Power Before Cleaning:

   It's the safety for yourself and the safety of your AC unit, therefore, it is important to make sure that there is no power flowing through it. You can turn off the switch or remove the breaker or disconnect the block. If this is too much of a hassle for you, then cut the power to the AC’s condenser from the main electrical panel.

   All this may sound troublesome to think, but it is simply to ensure safety. Whenever you’re working with any electrical devices or machines, in this an AC, working with the power on is never a good idea.

2. Clean Filters & Coils for Proper Airflow:

   Cleaning is the simplest way to keep anything brand new. When you clean your AC, you should focus on two main parts– filters and coils. Dirty filters can block the dust from being removed from the air, causing the AC to work harder or consume more energy. Thus, resulting in increased electricity bills, which is never a good sign! Moreover, if the filter hasn’t been replaced in a few years, you should change the filter or ask for assistance from a maintenance expert.

   Cleaning the coils would make sure it is not obstructed by dirt and dust, as coils are in charge of ensuring the transfer of hot or cold air, depending on the season, to your space.

3. Clean the AC Fins & Straighten the Bents:

   Interference with your AC’s cooling potential can happen when the fins get clogged with dust or debris. However, it's easy to get the fins cleaned out by yourself. All you need is a brush, or even better, a kitchen knife to scrape away any dust that's stuck between the fins. Moreover, it can be used to reshape any fins that have become bent.

4. Avoid Blocking the AC Condenser with Objects:

   When installing the AC Condenser, ensure it is out located outside and in an open space. It’s an essential component of your AC, it facilitates proper airflow maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature.

   However, blockages around the condenser can put excessive pressure on the AC unit and restrict airflow. Therefore, to ensure an optimal performing AC, keeping at least 2 feet of clear space around the condenser unit is recommended.

5. Close Windows/Doors for Maximum Efficiency:

   Cool breezes are the best when you’re sitting by the settee and relaxing on a fine after summer afternoon. When you leave your AC on and have the windows or doors opened it allows the cool air produced by the AC to escape. causing the unit to work harder and become more prone to breakdowns and damage.

   Therefore, to ensure your room or space is chilled out and your AC is also in optimum performance, it is recommended to close the windows and doors while the AC is on.

When to Call an HVAC Expert or Technician?

Not always every issue on your AC unit can be fixed by yourself, that is when you’ll need support from an HVAC Expert.

The following discussing points are to suggest leaving the critical tasks to the pros:

1. Routine Inspections & Regulations:

   It’s a common mistake people make that whenever something unusual happens only then they consult the pros. However, it shouldn't be the case always– to make sure your AC continues to run in an optimum condition, you need routine inspections for your AC from the experts. As well as, regulate any issues before it leads to a bigger problem.

2. Detecting any Electrical Issues:

   When you open up your AC unit and look inside it, you’ll be lost in its complex ecosystem of tubes, wires, coils, filters, and motors. Ultimately, making you unable to fix any wiring or motor related issues, for instance. Contact your HVAC technician to fix it up through the complicated circuits.

3. Odd Sounds or Strange Odor:

Whenever you detect odd sounds coming from your AC unit, apart from the usual consistent humming sound, it definitely indicates there are some issues with it. Squealing noises may indicate there’s a problem with the AC’s belt, or metal screeching sound may indicate the AC’s bearing needs to be replaced, or clicking may indicate there’s an electrical issue or obstruction with the fan. It is time to consult your expert and get it fixed, pronto!

As for strange odors, it's very common to happen whenever there’s an electrical issue. However, it may indicate multiple problems as well, do contact your HVAC expert soon to repair your AC.

Conclusion

As AC owners, we live in a common misconception that “My AC has been working perfectly alright for years, and I don’t need any unnecessary maintenance”. Well, it’s not always about working “perfectly alright”, it’s about ensuring your AC runs for years without running into any problems.

Maintenance is essential for everything in life, especially for your AC, since it is an electrical device and blows hot/cold air to your living space. Even if it's hard to believe, it will face some sort of issues in the long run. Before it is met with any problems, following the DIY tips will ensure optimum performance and sometimes following up with an expert will improve your life as well as the AC’s.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What kind of cleaner should I use to clean my air conditioner?

   It is always wise to use a gentle cleaner specifically made for ACs, as harsh chemicals can damage the unit. You can also use a mixture of water and mild soap or shampoo.

2. How often should I change my air conditioner filter?

   The frequency at which you need to change your AC filter depends on the usage and the environment in which it is used. As recommended by experts, you should change the filter every 3 months.

3. How often should I change my air conditioner filter?

   The frequency at which you need to change your AC filter depends on the usage and the environment in which it is used. As recommended by experts, you should change the filter every 3 months.

4. What type of maintenance is most effective?

   Predictive maintenance is more successful than preventative maintenance at detecting probable breakdowns and is more precise in determining which actions are required.