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Summer is just around the corner! You might be ready for the hot weather, but is your AC? To help your air conditioner run smoothly in the heat, we have some handy AC maintenance tips you can DIY at home (keep in mind to always call a professional anytime you're feeling unsure about anything) alongside the services that should be carried out by a professional Edmonton air conditioning company (we’d be happy to do the job for you!).
Excited to prepare your AC for the summer? Read on for some important AC maintenance tasks you can try to undertake before the heat arrives — put together for you by our expert air conditioning service team.
Let’s get started!
A central air conditioning unit that has been sitting all winter (especially in Edmonton), will need some TLC before it can effectively run come summertime. These DIY AC maintenance steps will help you get your air conditioner ready, and more importantly, completing these tasks now will help minimize risk of your AC breaking down during peak cooling season, leaving you hot and sweaty and uncomfortable!
Make sure the power to your air conditioner is turned off before you begin any AC maintenance. The switch for your air conditioner is likely be found in your main breaker box or within a separate breaker box located outside, next to your heating and cooling unit. Can't find it or unsure of how to turn off the power to your AC? Contact your local heating and cooling professionals!
Turn off all power to the unit and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes to ensure all the power held in the capacitor has time to drain. (PROSOLUTIONS PRO-TIP! In general, when doing any DIY maintenance, try to avoid touching electrical components.)
Clean or replace all of the filters in your heating and cooling system as recommended by the manufacturer. This should also be done throughout the year whenever the filters look dirty or clogged (usually every few months or so). This step is important for ensuring unrestricted airflow into your home, as airflow restriction can cause your unit to work harder, resulting in a higher utility bill and potential breakdowns.
Important Note: Before you spray or wipe your air conditioner, be sure the power to the unit is off.
After sitting all winter, your AC compressor may be covered in dirt, dust, mud, and other debris, so it's time to clear it all! Otherwise, airflow can be obstructed, causing your air conditioner to work harder, be less efficient, and potentially experience premature breakdowns.
Start by clearing debris from around the unit. For instance, remove weeds, leaves, and other detritus. Then, simply spray the outside of the unit with a regular garden hose to clean the coils. (PROSOLUTIONS PRO-TIP! If you encounter stubborn build-up, DO NOT use a power washer or a pressure washer, because those will damage the delicate fins of your condenser!)
For easier general maintenance, you can consider a cover:
And there you go! In 3 easy steps, not only are you helping ensure your AC is ready for the blazing heat of summer, you're also contributing to the health of your air conditioning system. Please note that while these maintenance steps are important for the overall health of your system, it does not replace professional tune-up services. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance services!
To further help reduce your energy consumption and utility bills throughout the summer, here are some additional tips:
Our final piece of advice is to get your air conditioners installed or serviced early. Doing so saves you time and money, because you get your choice of dates, units, and you get to take advantage of early-bird deals! Because comfort done early is comfort done right.
