Basic Maintenance Tips for Your Air Conditioner

Most of us take our air conditioners for granted until they break down or stop working properly. However, performing some simple maintenance on your air conditioner can keep it functioning properly and help to extend its life. Just a few minutes worth of maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your air conditioner in tip-top shape and keeping you cool all summer long...without having to call the repairman. Here are some basic maintenance tips for your air conditioner that should get you started.

The first thing you need to do in regards to maintaining your air condition is to change the filter frequently. Most air conditioner filters should be changed every 3-6 months depending upon how dirty they get. It is better to err on the side of caution than to wait too long to change your filter. Replacing the filter too frequently doesn't have any negative side effects, but if you don't change it often enough it could lead to trouble. When the filters in air conditioners get clogged it can lead to ice build up, increased wear and tear on the unit since it has to run longer to keep you cool, and poor performance, all of which can decrease the usable lifespan of your air conditioner.

At the beginning of each season before you start running your air condition you should go outside and check the outside of the unit. Clear away any debris or leaves that have settled on it over the winter to ensure that air can flow properly into the unit. You'll also want to check down in the condenser to ensure that it is not clogged with dead leaves or bug which both can severely restrict airflow. Try using a garden hose to wash away any dirt or debris from the outside of the unit.

Dirt or dust on the evaporator coil can cause symptoms similar to those caused by a dirty filter. If you have changed your air filter and are still not getting great performance out of your air conditioner check the evaporator coil to make sure it is clean. The evaporator coil is located inside the air conditioner and can be accessed from the indoor part of the air conditioner. Wipe away any dirt or debris on the evaporator coil and you should be rewarded with better performance.

Just doing these few simple maintenance tasks can help you to extend the life of your air conditioner and keep it functioning more efficiently so it keeps you cool during the hot summer months. If you have tried all of these suggestions and your air conditioner still is not functioning properly you may want to call a repairman to come and look at it for a "tune up." It is often cheaper to take preventative steps than to have to pay to have the whole unit repaired at a later date.