The incredibly hot and dry summer is finally coming to a close. This is the perfect time to plan some preventative maintenance for your air conditioner so it is in tip-top shape and ready to go for the warm temperatures next spring and summer. Follow the air conditioner maintenance advice outlined below and your air conditioner will be ready for the next blazing hot Phoenix summer.
Clean the Coils
An air conditioner’s coils should be cleaned at the end of the summer season. Ideally, you will clean these coils several times per year. Coils that have been compromised by grime will likely prevent the air conditioner from operating at its full potential. Go ahead and get rid of any buildup on the coils in the fall and winter so you can rest easy knowing that the air conditioner will function at its peak capacity once those triple digit temperatures arrive next summer.
Mind the Filters
Your air conditioner’s filters should be kept clean throughout the year. Even if you were out of town for a significant portion of the summer and barely used your air conditioner, the air filters should still be cleaned and possibly replaced. If you let the filters absorb enough dirt, dust and allergens, they will hinder your air conditioner’s air flow and possibly cause it to stop working.
Cover the Air Conditioner
The outside unit should be covered during the fall and winter. This way, if any sort of inclement weather strikes, the outside unit will be protected. Draping a cover over the air conditioner also prevents dirt and debris from building up within the unit as well.
Furthermore, draping a cover over the outside unit will safeguard the unit’s metal from repeatedly freezing and thawing over the course of the winter. When covering the outdoor unit, do not use any old tarp and assume that it will suffice. An inferior covering will allow moisture to build up throughout the duration of the fall and winter.
Make sure the tarp is fastened in a secure manner so wayward animals can’t use it as a means of shelter. Ideally, the air conditioner cover will allow at least a full foot or more worth of open space between the unit and the ground. This space will permit air to pass in and out with ease. Be sure to check up on the cover several times throughout the winter to ensure that it is firmly in place. Sweep out any debris that has accumulated between the ground and the air conditioner.
Look Into Your Air Conditioner’s Maintenance Plan
Your air conditioner might have an extensive maintenance plan that was included in the original price of the unit. Check out the manufacturer’s maintenance policy for the details about this service. It is possible that the manufacturer will send out air conditioning experts to perform winter preparation services. Such an expert will conduct an inspection, provide maintenance suggestions and get the unit ready for the upcoming winter.
The Outside Unit Matters Just as Much as the Inside Unit
Do not forget to maintain the outside unit. If there is long grass growing by the outdoor unit or if debris has accumulated around it, take action. Remove these hindrances to ensure that it can operate without interference. If the outside unit can’t breathe, it won’t be able to function as designed.
