DYI tips to have your A/C running efficient

8/24/2016 (Permalink)

Join us as we continue our series of essential summer maintenance tips with great notes on how to keep your air conditioning unit functioning properly courtesy of Jeff Wilson at DIY Network!

Obviously with the heat raging through Danbury, citizens want to turn the air conditioner up to keep the home infernos down! However, with any appliance, unit or tool that is primarily used seasonally, it is important to ensure nothing damaging occurred during the “offseason”. Luckily, this can be completed in 10 easy steps according to Wilson.

Step 1 - Shut off the power. An easy and often overlooked step. Don’t skip it or you could risk not being around for steps 2 through 9!

Step 2 - Clean away debris. Grab some work gloves and a screwdriver to remove the top enclosure. Dig out the the dead leaves and any offending material.

Step 3 - Spruce the fins. Once the top is removed, use a garden hose to spray the fins from the inside to the out. Not a pressure washer - just a hose - otherwise the fins will spray all over the lawn like a failed fishing trip.

Step 4 - Check the fins for damage. If you didn’t heed our advice in Step 3 (see above), this step will take longer. If the fins need to be straightened use a blunt butter wife.

Step 5 - Clean around the unit. Once everything is reinstalled, sweep away debris and growth around your unit.

Step 6 - Ensure the unit is level. There is one exception: “Service Experts’ Moody adds this exception: “If you have a heat pump system, it’s okay for the pad to be slightly sloped away from the home’s foundation to allow for defrost run-off during the winter.”

The last few steps require cleaning inside the unit. If you are not comfortable with these steps, please call a professional.

Step 7 - Clean the evaporator coil with a no-rinse coil cleaner.

Step 8 - Check the evaporator drain.

Step 9 - Change the blower air filter. This should be checked twice a year. Once for summer and once for winter. See that’s easy to remember.

Step 10 - Turn the power back on. This is essential for the unit to work, otherwise all of your hard work will be for naught. If you skipped Step 1, you’re probably not still reading this.

So, with these 10 easy steps you can beat the heat this summer and ensure a cool happy season!