If you are a homeowner in Albuquerque, you know how hard your air conditioner will have to work during summer months. This puts extra stress on the unit. This is why you need to pay special attention to regular maintenance. Here are some useful tips that you can follow to maintain and take good care of your air conditioner during summer months. You can follow these steps and do routine maintenance on your own.
Disconnect the power supply
Look for an outside shut-off box on the exterior condenser/compressor close to the unit. Additionally, shut off the electricity at the breaker box inside.
Clean debris
If there are any leaves, dirt, or debris within the fan cage, remove it and clean it out with your hands or a wet/dry vacuum.
Clean the fins
To get rid of any exterior debris, remove the outside covers and use the brush attachment on a strong shop vacuum. Then, to clear out any accumulated dirt or debris between the fins, gently spray through the fins with a garden hose from the inside out.
Make the fins straight
Using a butter knife or a fin-straightening tool that is readily available in stores, gently straighten bent fins. Be cautious to avoid damaging the tubing that is encased inside the fins.
Clean the surrounding
To maintain optimal airflow around the unit, rake back leaves and trash from around the condenser and trim back branches and plants at least 2 feet in all directions.
Properly level the unit
As the earth under the condenser unit settles over time, the pad on which it is placed can start to tilt. Early compressor failure can result from a condenser unit that is not level. Condenser level should be checked, and if necessary, rot-resistant shims should be used to level it again.
Clean the evaporator coil
Inside, dust the coil with a soft brush before spraying it with a no-rinse coil cleaning that is readily available. The spray will produce some froth before dripping into the drain pan. Use soap, hot water, and a little bleach to clean the drain pan. Next, flush the drain with a cup containing 50% bleach and 50% water.
Unclog the drain of the evaporator
If a drain is blocked, it can overflow and cause damage to the floor or, if the system has a drain float, it can cease cooling to prevent flooding. Check out this post from our colleagues at DIYnetwork.com for detailed instructions on how to clean the evaporator drain.
Replace the blower filter
Install the new filter after removing the old one, being sure to line up the arrows on the filter with those on the device. Lock the door after closing it.
Connect electricity again
Now you are done with cleaning the air conditioner. In case if you feel like you can’t do these steps on your own, it is important to contact a professional services provider, like the Albuquerque air conditioning services pros at Indoor Comfort Heating and Air conditioning. Then you can get much-needed support to keep your appliance up and running without a problem.
