DIY Summertime Air Conditioner Maintenance Steps

Air conditioner maintenance doesn’t stop after your preventative maintenance tune-up! To ensure excellent system performance throughout the summer season, Lexington home and business owners should make these do-it-yourself air conditioner maintenance steps a priority.

1. Inspect your air filter

Over the summer, your cooling system is working overtime to keep your home or business cool in the face of rising Lexington temperatures. Your air conditioner needs sufficient airflow through the system in order to do this job efficiently.

While the average filter needs to be changed about every three months, during this heavy usage period, the air filter can become clogged more quickly and require more frequent changes. Check your furnace filter monthly to see if it has become clogged with debris; change it if necessary.

2. Clean your condenser

Outdoor summer chores such as mowing and spreading mulch create debris that can come to rest on the exterior of your air conditioner’s condenser. These debris, as well as vegetation and items stored nearby, prevent air from flowing through the unit, making it more difficult for the system to give off heat; the system will consume more energy, stressing itself, to cool your home or business.

After completing outdoor jobs, take a look at your condenser to make sure it is not covered in clippings or wood chips. Weed around the unit as needed, and make sure all outdoor items are stored at least two feet away.

3. Check the condensate drain

Lexington air conditioners work to pull excess moisture from indoor air over the summer months; the cooling process results in moisture, which must be drained away from the equipment and structure. Your air conditioner is equipped with a condensate drain system that includes a drip pan, a drain line, and a nearby exterior drain, likely on the floor.

For moisture to exit the system, the condensate drain components must be clear of clogs. Check around the unit for water puddles often, as well as inside the drain pan for water accumulation; these are signs a clog could be present. You may be able to remove clogs with a wet/dry vacuum or wire brush, though if you’re uncomfortable doing so or have no luck loosening the clog with these methods, we are happy to give you a hand.

For professional assistance improving air conditioner performance this summer, contact the cooling experts at Climate Control today.