How Often To Service Ac Unit

The sun's peeking through the clouds. The flowers are offset to flower. And the temperature's rising. It'southward time to finish your air conditioner's hibernation and ensure information technology's in tip-summit shape for the hotter days alee. Routine A/C maintenance can save you money and headaches from having to deal with untimely air conditioner repair.

Follow these air conditioner tune-up tips to ensure your unit of measurement works on that first hot day of the year.

What'south the Best Time of Year to Service Your A/C Unit?

Experts propose performing air-conditioning service in one case a year (the same goes for heating). Spring is the best time. However, to ensure your system continues to work efficiently, you demand to practise some regular maintenance.

Means to Service Your Air Conditioner Yourself

Luckily, yous don't always need a professional to perform an air conditioner checkup. There are a few things y'all can DIY earlier calling an adept.

1. Modify the air filter.

Changing the air filter is i of the most important and easiest ways to maintain your unit —whether it's a key HVAC system or a ductless air conditioner. Thankfully, you lot don't need a professional for this quick and easy air conditioning maintenance task. Simply locate your unit of measurement's filter slot, slide out the sometime filter, and insert the new one, taking notation of the direction of the airflow and which side of the filter needs to face out. Be sure to refer to the manufacturer's instructions for correct filter size and steps for properly replacing the filter.

Wondering which type to buy and how often to alter the air filter? Filters come in unlike "strengths," depending on how filtered y'all want the air to be in your home. And generally, you should replace the air filter about every three months.

However, if you lot have pets, yous may consider replacing the filter every month also every bit purchasing a filter with a higher rating—the higher the number, the more it filters the air. The same rule applies if you have family members that may exist sensitive to dust and other allergens.

2. Do some leap cleaning.

The new filter is in, so it's time to bank check a few more than items off your DIY A/C maintenance list. Get-go, make sure all the indoor vents are clean. Next, pour a loving cup of bleach mixed with h2o down the drain of the outside unit of measurement to prevent mold and algae buildup. Then, ensure the unit

is on a level surface.
doesn't have any debris, such as leaves, pollen, or twigs, clogging information technology up.
has at least two feet of clearance around it.
has the proper amount of adept-quality insulation around the refrigerant lines.

Notation: For safety reasons, this abode ac service pace should be done without attempting to open the exterior unit of measurement. If you lot tin can't become it clean without taking it apart, call on a professional to practice the muddy work.

4. Assess your A/C's performance.

Later on you've assessed the outside appearance of your home air conditioning unit of measurement, it's time to assess its operation. Crank information technology upwardly and run across how it fares. Make up one's mind if your habitation is getting cooler, if the unit of measurement is quiet, and if it appears to be performing ordinarily overall.

Note: The first fourth dimension y'all turn it on, you may discover a smell. That's simply the air conditioner's mode of clearing out the dust that may have settled since the last fourth dimension you ran the unit of measurement. Information technology should misemploy shortly.

When to Allow the Professionals Perform Your Air Conditioner Service

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Perchance you've turned the unit of measurement on, and you hear a strange racket coming from it. Or worse, it'south not actually blowing absurd air. That means information technology's time to call in the professionals—and the earlier, the better.

Without a home warranty, A/C service costs may vary depending on your location and if you need air conditioner repair or replacement. Just with an American Habitation Shield® home warranty plan, you can relish affordable coverage for any covered bug with your A/C unit of measurement. Learn more about what's covered for your air conditioning nether a abode warranty, including HVAC tune-ups and more. We're here to assistance you keep your absurd when it comes to unforeseen repairs or replacements.

Learn more about how air conditioners piece of work and other A/C maintenance tips similar how to clean the air conditioner condensate drain line.

AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of whatsoever and all information contained herein.