AC Maintenance in the Valley of the Sun

Kelsey Vickers July 7, 2017

Continued maintenance on your air conditioning (AC) unit is crucial, especially in the Valley of the Sun. Regular cleaning and maintenance will keep your AC running well, save you money on your energy bill and extend the average life of your unit.

But how do you know what maintenance tasks you can tackle versus calling a professional?  Most preventive care on an air conditioner can be done by any homeowner, but there are some things that you’ll need to hire a pro for. Remember, your AC unit is a machine, so be sure to shut it down before any type of maintenance.

Clean the Vents 

Much like other areas of your home, vents need to be dusted and cleaned. It’s also a good idea to get your air ducts professionally cleaned if they have never been before. This tip is essential, especially after a dust storm blows through the Valley, as dust build-up can contribute to allergy issues and asthma.

Clean or Replace Filters

It is important to keep your air filters clean, clear, and replace them as needed. Most filters are reusable when cleaned, and cleaning should be done, at least, once per season. Filters that are full of dirt and dust will reduce proper airflow and can also worsen allergy or asthma symptoms.

Understand the Makeup

Understanding the makeup of your unit is important. Simply checking your connections, wiring, and switches often can reduce any major issues down the road. If something doesn’t look to be in proper, working order or normal when you do your checks, you’ll know when to call a professional before the issue gets worse.

Clean up the Outdoor Unit

Leaves, grass, dirt, rain… these are all natural causes of build up around your outside unit. Again, make sure your unit is off before performing any type of cleaning. Trim and maintain excessive trees, plants, and branches surrounding your AC. You can also lightly spray down the unit to get rid of any buildup and grime that could potentially be reducing proper airflow to your home. 

Pro Tip: Yearly Maintenance

At least once a year it a good idea to have a professional come to your home and service the AC unit. A professional will be able to check things that the average homeowner may not know about such as the freon, coils and wiring or even proper airflow and use of your unit. Taking the time to be preventive with the maintenance now, however, will keep your AC running at its best in the long run.

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