A/C Maintenance Tips!

TIPS FOR MAINTAINING YOUR AIR CONDITIONER OR HEAT PUMP

As summer nears, Kootenay homeowners should plan for their annual air conditioner or heat pump maintenance. A once-a-year inspection plays a key role in keeping your equipment functioning at its best. If you choose to maintain your system on your own here are a few things to look for:

Are your air filters clean? If they haven’t been replaced in the last month or two, they may be clogging your system, which puts a lot of strain on your blower fan motor. This is the number one cause of A/C burnout, and it doesn’t take much to prevent it. Just replace the filters once a month.
Is your evaporator coil clean? The air filters in your unit not only improve indoor air quality, but also exist to keep dust from building up on the evaporator coils. If dust settles on the coils, they’ll become insulated from the indoor air, which causes your system to work harder to remove heat from the indoor air.
Are the coil fins bent? If so, you can use a special “fin comb” to bring them back into alignment. Seek help from an HVAC professional if the fins are severely bent.
Is there any debris in your outdoor unit? Lawn clippings, dust, small branches and other objects can get inside your outdoor condenser. If they do, make sure to clear them out, and keep about a meter’s clearance on each side of the condenser itself.
Are the condensate drainage channels clear? Humidity is the enemy of cooling, and if your condensate drains aren’t removing water from the area, your unit won’t function effectively.
Can you fix any given issue on your own? DIY home maintenance can increase the efficiency and extend the life of your air conditioner or heat pump, but if anything seems beyond your capabilities or knowledge, you should call in an HVAC professional.