11 Aircon Maintenance Tips to Make Your Unit Last Longer

It’s natural for your air conditioning unit to show signs of wear and tear over time and develop technical issues. Like any other household appliance, your unit can break down without proper care. Keeping your system in good working order, whether it’s a central air conditioner or a window AC, requires keen and frequent attention to its maintenance. 

Regular maintenance helps reduce power consumption and in turn, expenses. Aside from comfort, keeping your air conditioner functioning effectively can also prevent health and safety issues as well. These aircon maintenance tips may also save you money and headaches by preventing unexpected malfunctions. 

What Are Several Tips for Air Conditioner Maintenance?

Before you arrange a maintenance visit, here are AC maintenance tips to keep in mind that will help increase the efficiency of your cooling system and have it work with better performance.

1. Clean The Fins With a Vacuum Cleaner

Using a vacuum with a soft brush, remove debris and dirt from the aluminum fins of your air conditioner. Do note that these fins are delicate and are easily bent or crushed, so it’s best to use little pressure when vacuuming.

2. Invest in a Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are a must-have if you’re trying to lessen your electricity bills. A thermostat enables you to set settings for different times of the day and have the temperature lower automatically when you need it the most, allowing you to control your AC’s cooling power.

3. Clear Debris From the Condenser

Remove the cover and clean the interior of the condenser with a vacuum to get rid of any grass clippings, gravel, or dust that has accumulated inside. Your condenser will gather dust and dirt since it’s placed outside, so remember to clean it every once in a while.

4. Check Insulation

A layer of insulation over the line that transports the refrigerant through your air conditioning system can be damaged by repeated exposure to the sun. Check this insulation on a frequent basis, as it keeps the refrigerant cool and protects the pipe from damage.

5. Clean the Evaporator Coils

Your air conditioner coils can accumulate dirt over time, lessening its ability to absorb heat. You may wash the coils with soap and water or brush-clean it with a soft-bristled brush if there is a little accumulation of dirt. Strong chemicals or other equipment, such as a pressure washer, may be required for extremely soiled coils. If you are unsure about cleaning it yourself, it is best to hire a professional.

6. Clean the Condensate Drain Tube

The condenser in your air conditioner must be drained of excess moisture, or algae or mold will grow and block the drain pipe. You can keep the line clean by flushing it with a tiny bit of bleach every now and then. In most cases, one cup will be enough. 

You can use a wet/dry vacuum cleaner to suck up the blockage if algae or mold has already clogged the tube.

7. Regularly Clean the Air Filters

The most important maintenance task for ensuring your air conditioner’s performance is to routinely replace or clean its air filter, particularly if the AC’s in constant use. Filters require more frequent attention than any other part of the unit.

Filters that are clogged with dirt reduce airflow and diminish a system’s efficiency dramatically. If the airflow is restricted, dirt can skip the filter and enter the evaporator coil, reducing the coil’s heat-absorbing ability. Replacing a filthy, clogged filter with a clean one can reduce the energy usage of your air conditioner up to 15%.

8. Use a Fin Comb for Bent Fins

On a small room air conditioner, fin combs are ideal for separating bent coil fins. Make sure you’re wearing gloves to avoid getting cuts.

9. Close Your Windows

Windows let a lot of heat into the house, particularly during the warmest parts of the day. Ensure you have your windows closed to keep heat from entering your home.

10. Clear Foliage Nearby

To work properly, your air conditioner needs free-flowing air. For central air conditioners, this is particularly important. When the airflow of the outside unit is obstructed with plants, flower gardens, grass, or weeds, the unit has to use more power to circulate the cool air and makes the unit work harder than it needs to.

Remove any plants that can block airflow from the condenser unit and keep the outdoor environment clean and free from dirty and dusty conditions. This step ensures that the outdoor unit receives sufficient air flow.

11. Hire a Professional

Hire a professional service expert if your air conditioning unit requires a more critical maintenance task, such as when your window AC unit fails to maintain a reasonable indoor temperature, you have issues with the outdoor condenser coils, drain line blockage, condenser coil dirt reducing airflow, etc. 

Your service expert can fix more problematic issues of your window type or central air conditioning units.

How Can I Make My Air Conditioner Last Longer?

To make your AC unit last longer, schedule monthly maintenance and clean regularly, regardless if it’s just for a tune-up or a major repair like fixing refrigerant leaks. This ensures that your AC’s cooling capacity is at its peak. Whether you own a split-type air conditioner or a window type, it’s important to keep your unit in its top shape to ensure its longevity.

Final Note: Aircon Maintenance Tips

Whether it’s keeping your indoor unit free from dust or regularly cleaning your air conditioner coils, a little AC maintenance on a regular basis might go a long way and can even save money. For more air conditioner tips, reviews and guides, you can visit our site.