How To Prep Your AC Unit For Summer
With summer coming quickly, now is the time to get your air conditioning system up and running at maximum efficiency. If you wait too long, you could end up making repairs in the dead of summer, when you really need the system to keep your home comfortable and cool. This article explains a few things you should do to get your air conditioning system up and running.
The Importance of the AC Unit
The AC unit, also called the condenser, which is located outside of your house, is perhaps the most important aspect of your entire system. This is where heat is drawn out of your home, where the refrigerant lines are cooled down, and where cold air is created. Basically, if this unit is not working properly, there is no way that your air-conditioner can't be as efficient as it should be.
Keeping Your Unit Covered During the Winter
First of all, hopefully, you will have kept your unit covered during the winter. Covering your AC unit is vital because you want to protect the coils on the outside. The condenser coils are key to the functionality of your system. They become dirty very easily since they are located on the outside of your unit. This means they can get caked in dust and dirt, which will slow down the condensing process and cause your unit to use more electricity. So, whether your condenser was covered or not, you should clean the coils along the outer walls.
Cleaning the Coils
On most units, the coils line each wall on both the inside and outside of the main cabinet. However, the coils on the outside are the most vulnerable because they are more likely to get dirty. The job is very easy if you have a coil cleaning solution. This is basically a foam that you spray on to the coils and then wash away with water after it soaks in for a few minutes. You can also use a coil cleaning brush to scrub away the more stubborn dirt buildup that doesn't wash away so easily. However, if you clean the coils every single year, you probably won't need to use a brush. The water alone should get the job done.
With a clean AC unit, you should now give it a test run. Just make sure that the fan spins and listen to see if everything sounds normal. You should be ready to battle the summer heat. To learn more, contact a company like Heatcraft Heating & Cooling.