A central air conditioner is a sizeable investment.
To cover the cost of purchase and installation, I needed to take out a loan.
I looked into ways to ensure that the cooling unit would operate at its best and last as long as possible. Every article I read stressed the importance of regular maintenance. According to the professionals, replacing or cleaning the filters is the first priority. Clogged, dirty filters obstruct essential airflow and reduce the system’s efficiency. When airflow becomes impeded, air that bypasses the filter ends up introducing dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impacts the coil’s heat-absorbing ability. Just replacing a contaminated filter with a clean one can trim energy usage by as much as 15%. It’s recommended to clean or replace the air conditioner’s filters every month during the cooling season. The evaporator coil and condenser coil also need to be thoroughly cleaned. These components accumulate dirt over the summer, reducing airflow and the capacity to absorb heat. The outdoor condenser coils tend to become dirty more quickly because of foliage, pollen and the wear and tear of weather. There’s also the potential for debris or algae growth clogging the condensate drain. The drain can be kept clean with a stiff wire brush, which allows the system to get rid of humidity and avoids property damage from condensate overflow. For the rest of the annual tasks, I decided to hire a professional. Since I don’t have the training, tools or experience, I figured I’d probably do more harm than good. A licensed HVAC contractor can check for the proper amount of refrigerant, test for duct leaks, measure airflow through the evaporator coil, tighten electrical connections and lubricate all of the moving parts.