Did you know that there are care steps you need to complete regularly for your air conditioner? You may be aware that changing the air filter out monthly is one of the steps. But there are several other things that you need to be doing for your AC outside of scheduling professional air conditioning service in Yakima, WA.
You can keep reading to learn more about some maintenance steps that you should be completing for your air conditioner and why each one is so important. There are major benefits to keeping up with regular maintenance and some serious risks that you take if you do not complete the steps. If you have any questions about how you should be performing maintenance, you can always give us a call and we are happy to help out.
Select an Appropriate Air Filter
Your first step in taking great care of your air conditioner is to select a filter that has a mid-range MERV rating. When you shop for air filters, each one has a MERV rating so you know what types of particles you can expect to filter out of your air. And we typically recommend an air filter with a MERV rating somewhere between 8 and 13.
MERV ratings that are lower than eight don’t filter out as many particles from your air. MERV ratings that are higher than 13 may have fibers that are so tightly woven they don’t allow airflow to pass through as easily. Your air conditioner is only designed with so much power to bring air into the system. An air filter that is too powerful can easily put extra strain on your air conditioner and lead to working even harder during cooling cycles.
Change Out the Air Filter
It is just as important to change your air filter in a timely manner. Along with a MERV rating, a filter will also offer an estimate of how long it will last before needing to be changed out. Usually, air filters last for somewhere between one and three months. If you have children and pets, you may need to change your air filter out just a little sooner because of extra particles being captured.
Rinse the Condensate Drain Line
Your next step is to occasionally rinse out the condensate drain line with vinegar. This helps prevent clogs from developing. Even with an excellent air filter in place, some dust and dirt particles will inevitably make their way into the system and into the condensate drain line.
Too much dust and dirt can cause clogs. Plus, the narrow, dark drain line is the perfect environment for mold to grow. Vinegar helps destroy these mold spores so that moisture from the system can rinse outside of your home effectively.
Check the Outdoor Unit
The outdoor portion of your air conditioner is exposed to weather and elements around the clock. This makes it easy for the delicate fins to get clogged with dust and dirt. It’s a good idea to use gentle water pressure to rinse off the outdoor unit so that heat can escape your home efficiently without being trapped. If the outdoor unit is too dirty, heat will instead stay inside of the system and be released back into your home, making it harder for your air conditioner to cool down the temperature.
Contact ThermAll Heating & Cooling, Inc: We are “Your Home Comfort Hero!” Schedule an appointment today for AC service.