Cleaning and maintaining an air conditioner regularly will pay off with many years of service for the unit. Regular maintenance can save energy, lower electric bills and perhaps avoid expensive service repair calls. If the unit is unfamiliar it is a good idea to look at the service manual and read any recommended maintenance tips or suggested service intervals for maintenance.  As a good rule of thumb, you should have your air conditioner serviced once a year. This will prevent you from needing the services of a company like Air Conditioner Repair Atlanta, and save you lots of money in the long run.

The best way to start working on an air conditioner is to turn it off and unplug the wires. Use a dry cloth to wipe it down and remove the build up of dust. If the unit has a remote control, be sure and wipe this down as well. Remove the panel cover and wash it down with a bucket of hot soapy water and a sponge. Using any types of harsh chemicals or strong abrasives is not recommended.

One of the most important maintenance items is cleaning the filter. Dirty clogged filters are not efficient and they pollute the air that is circulated through out the home. If it is a reusable filter clean with hot soapy water or if it is a disposable replace the filter. The rule of thumb for filter maintenance is to clean or replace them about once a month. Air dry the filter and snap it back into position after cleaning.

The condenser coil needs to be cleaned periodically when it develops a thick layer of dust. Clean the coil with a vacuum cleaner removing as much dust as possible. It is not recommended to clean the condenser coil or in and around this area with water; too many electrical pieces of equipment that could be damaged. If the fins are no longer in a straight position use a fin comb to put them back into place.

Replace any panels or parts that you may have removed during the cleaning process and reconnect the power and wires. Verify that everything is in good working order since performing maintenance. Remove any new weeds or grass surrounding the air condition unit.

For even more great tips on keeping your home’s air conditioning working smoothly, check out the Heating and Air Guide.