AC Tune-Up Tips
Photo by Mary Taylor from Pexels
If you’ve spent any time in Texas during the dog days of summer, you know that your AC is about as crucial to survival as food and water. You also know that there’s nothing better than coming in from the heat and cooling off in your own home. To do that, you want to be sure that your air conditioning unit is in tip-top shape!
If you want air that’s cold enough to stand up to the summer sun, you’ll have to put in a little time and effort when it comes to your unit. In this article, we’ll go over the regular AC maintenance that you should be doing as well as how to know that it’s time to look at installing a new AC system. We’ll also let you know when it’s time to call in a Pflugerville air conditioning company to help with AC repairs and installation because you can’t always do it on your own.
AC Maintenance
To keep your AC unit running efficiently, there are a few maintenance tasks that you should be performing regularly. With some diligence on your part, you should be able to avoid emergency AC repair in the dead of summer—or at least catch it quickly so you can call for help before you burn up in the heat.
AC Unit Filters
One of the easiest ways to make sure that your air filtration is working properly is to change the filters monthly. You’d be surprised how quickly filters get clogged and dirty, which can wreak havoc on your AC system.
These filters can be purchased at your local hardware store and even in grocery stores for cheap. The key is making sure that you’re doing it regularly. Do yourself a favor and set a reminder to swap them out every month. Go on, do it now!
Clean Your Condenser Outside
Your unit likely has an exterior condenser or compressor that needs some attention from time to time. This component helps cool your refrigerant so if it’s not working properly, you’ll know it fairly quickly. This can be a little tricky, so follow the manufacturer’s guide for cleaning the unit. The steps should include removing debris from the unit, cleaning the fins, and reassembling the AC unit.
Check Your Interior Unit
Now it’s time to move inside and check out the interior components of your AC system. You should inspect the refrigerant tubing for possible leaks. If any are found, call your favorite air conditioning & heating company in Pflugerville as they’ll know how to safely handle the coolant. This is not a DIY job!
Next, take a look at the evaporator coil. If it’s dirty, clean it with a brush and coil cleaner. This is a special cleaner that you should be able to find at a hardware store. After cleaning it, you’ll also need to empty the drain pan and pour a mixture of 50/50 bleach and water down the drain to kill bacteria growth.
“Having a professional perform maintenance and repairs is much cheaper than an emergency AC repair when your DIY project goes awry!”
Know When to Call for Backup
While there are many AC maintenance tasks that you can handle on your own, it’s also important to know when to call a professional. If you’re looking at extensive repairs or are dealing with coolant or electrical components, have an AC repair company come take a look. Having a professional perform maintenance and repairs is much cheaper than an emergency AC repair when your DIY project goes awry!
Is It Time to Install A New Unit?
If you’ve walked through the checklist above and are still experiencing cooling problems with your AC unit, it may be time to install a new system. It may also be time to do this if any of the following are true for you:
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Your AC unit is over 15–20 years old and nearing the end of its lifetime.
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Your AC unit has been needing frequent repairs and the costs are adding up.
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You want a more energy-efficient unit and are considering a newer unit to save on heating and cooling bills.
If any of those factors are true for you, it’s time to call in the professionals so you can get a quote for a new system. AC replacement can be costly upfront, but a newer unit will save you money on utilities and repairs, plus they’re quieter and more powerful—definitely worth their weight in gold in this Texas heat!
There are several air conditioning and heating services in Pflugerville so be sure that you’re hiring one with years of experience and superior customer service.
At Comfort Zone, we have been offering AC repair, maintenance, and replacement to the Pflugerville and Austin communities since 2004. We would love the opportunity to earn your business. Give us a call whether you need emergency AC repair or if you’re considering a total AC replacement. Your comfort is our guarantee!