by Mike Hardin

Created on: February 20, 2010   Last Updated: February 23, 2010

Maintenance of home air conditioning systems requires very little skill and is something most people can do with just minimal mechanical knowledge. Maintenance on air conditioning systems is something that is required annually. This does take a little time but can save the home owner in utilities and major repair bills like compressor replacement. This will also keep unit running at top efficiency and cool/ heat better.

Always change the filters, one can go up to 90 days between changing, it is advisable to do it every thirty days. Thirty days would be the norm if one has pets like cats, dogs and so on or if someone in the house smokes, or has allergies.

Changing the filter generally requires minimal tools maybe a screw driver or nut driver a quarter inch. Go to the return air vent usually much larger than the other vents pull this down or off see what size the filter is and replace it with comparable filter. Making sure the old one fits side to side top to bottom. The filter may be of the permanent type and need to be washed if this is the case turn off air flow wash filter let dry and replace.

Check on coils inside and out annually to see if any debris has gathered around on the coils. The coils are the radiator looking fins that surround the compressor; they are also on the inside of the house on a split system, usually in a louvered closet. Looking at these may require a screw driver to open cases indoors. Always shut the power off when looking at the coils inside or out, go to breaker panel and pull power to both the heat and cooling before seeing if these are dirty. If the home uses fuses pull the fuses, on the outside there should be able to pull a disconnect switch, but this works only for outside unit.

After cutting power look at coils if they are dirty one can call a service man out, or one can carefully clean the dirt and debris away with an air hose or water hose. This will keep ones unit working at peak efficiency. The inside coil can be cleaned with an air hose or a brush.  Any other electrical or other work of the unit must be done by a trained service technician.

Doing these simple things can save money in the long run, never do anything that one does not have the skills involved to do. These are simply things that help the unit run smoother and longer.

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