Taking care of your air conditioner during the off-season means that you prioritize the efficiency and performance of your cooling system and want to ensure that the system is ready to cool your home during the next summer. These are seven important tips that could help you maintain your AC during the off-season.
1. CHANGE HVAC FILTERS
Dusty and clogged air filters can hinder the seamless flow of air and cause inefficiencies that may force your system to work harder than necessary. You will end up using more energy, resulting in higher-than-normal energy bills. Moreover, the internal components of your HVAC system will strain.
It is important to ensure that your cooling system has new and clean filters inserted into the air handler during the off-season. Ensure you do this every fall, winter, and early spring so that the filters can serve an estimated 60 days.
Talk to a technician with expertise in selecting filters to ensure compatibility with your system. Also, we recommend that the filters meet a high rating of MERV 11 and above for superior debris capture. As such, organize to schedule regular filter replacements for optimal summer cooling.
2. PROFESSIONALLY CLEAN DUCTWORK
You may want a professional to clean your ducts during the winter months. Depending on the amount of dust in your home, you can engage in this exercise every two to three years. This is because every year, there is an accumulation of debris, pet hair, dust, and allergens that build up inside your ductwork.
Expert technicians have the specialized tools and expertise required to vacuum the interior of the duct surfaces, followed by the application of an anti-bacterial spray. If your ducts are filled with dust and are not cleaned professionally, you will see the same debris circulating throughout your home as long as the cooling system is running.
This process will prepare your AC and restore its peak operational efficiency. The coming summer will see you enjoy some healthy indoor air quality and comfort.
3. SEAL AIR LEAKS AROUND WINDOWS
Ensure that the seals around the windows are sealed so that your indoor air does not leak outside. When cool air leaks outside, you lose the quality of air that should be circulating in the different rooms in your home. If you want to keep the cool energy in your home, then you must detect and repair all air leaks around the windows.
If you suspect that air in your home is escaping through the leaks around your windows, Garrett Mechanical will help you seal these air leaks professionally. Some of the expert recommendations include using caulk and weather stripping as required to ensure a full seal of all the openings that allow humidity to escape.
With proper maintenance during the off-season, sealed air leaks will ensure that your cooling system does not need to overwork to regulate indoor air for that much-desired comfort. Moreover, you will not experience the undesired infiltration all winter.
4. SCRUB THE EVAPORATOR AND CONDENSER COILS
Clean evaporator and condenser coils are important for the running of your AC during the summer. This is because heat transfer coils inside the cooling system become very dirty as they are continuously exposed to outdoor elements such as pollen, leaves, and grass. These elements adhere to coil fins, thereby blocking seamless airflow.
We recommend engaging the services of a professional technician who is familiar with all the different parts of the air conditioner. If one is not conversant with the AC, they can cause major damage while trying to clean the evaporator and condenser coils.
The technician should check the condensate drain to detect whether there is any blockage, mold, or debris. Cleaning can be done using water and bleach. The fins could also hold leaves, debris, and dust, so it is important to check and clean them. When cleaning the fins, use a soft brush and stroke in the same direction to avoid breaking them.
5. CLEAN DEBRIS AROUND THE AC UNIT
When it comes to proper maintenance of your AC system, cleaning and clearing the area around your AC for any debris, leaves, and other obstructions is the first step. During summer, you may notice an overgrowth of shrubs, bushes, and any other encroaching plant growth around your AC. Ensure to trim the shrubs or bushes growing near the system.
A clear area around the AC unit means that there is no obstruction and air can flow properly. Moreover, this is also a preventive measure to avoid more damage to the unit during winter storms. While most homeowners prefer to use fences, plants, and trellises to hide the AC unit, they should be strategically situated in a way that does not block an adequate amount of airflow. There should be a space of about three feet between the AC unit and other landscaping objects.
6. COVER YOUR AC UNIT
Protect the outdoor AC unit using a weatherproof cover that prevents harmful weather elements such as precipitation, high winds, and ice from damaging your AC. For instance, exposure to water drippings can cause your AC to rust, thereby damaging its cooling system. Engage a technician when covering your AC, as it should be done securely to ensure that the AC does not develop a buildup of moisture.
In spring, make sure to remove any plastic guards so that there is adequate warmth exposure to allow the AC to function optimally even as summer approaches and it has to transition into cooling mode.
7. SCHEDULE PREVENTIVE SEASONAL MAINTENANCE
This is perhaps the most vital maintenance step for your AC. Seasonal maintenance of your HVAC system helps you enjoy quality indoor air throughout the year but also helps you prolong the lifespan of your HVAC system and appliances.
Organize seasonal HVAC inspections and maintenance through a reputable and licensed service company during the off-season. The technicians will monitor all elements of your HVAC system and ensure that they address any deficiencies in advance so that the system is ready to cool and deliver quality air into your home in the summer.
As a homeowner, you can do a lot to protect your AC system and prevent damage. However, a professional routine check should be done before the onset of summer to ensure that everything is set to cool your house properly.
[comapny_name] gives you a maintenance plan that you can use to ensure that your HVAC system runs smoothly all year round. We will come and conduct a routine inspection to ensure you are prepared for the summer. We also give you ideas on how to care for the unit, especially during the cold season. These tips can also protect your system during the winter.
We also offer cooling, heating, plumbing, and electrical services through our team of dedicated and licensed professionals to make sure you are covered year-round.
Contact Garrett Mechanical today for more information about making sure that your AC can keep you cool when summertime temperatures start soaring.
