Are YOU Recycling Efficiently?

Posted on: 28 March 2016

Every spring, it can be good to take just a few minutes and give your home's air conditioner main unit a good once-over and ensure it's ready for the summer season. A few simple steps to maintain it will help to keep it in good repair and running optimally throughout the year. Note a few of those maintenance tips here so you can apply them to your home's air conditioner as well.

1. Clean the fins and condenser coil

The condenser coil wraps around the air conditioning unit and provides protection against dirt, grass clippings, leaves, and the like. If the coil and fins are very dirty and clogged, the unit will work harder and may overheat during summertime. Use a hose from the inside and rinse out any parts that are clinging to the coil and fins and then wipe them down with a dry cloth.

2. Check the tubing insulation

Behind the unit, you'll see tubing that runs from your house to the unit itself. One of these will be insulated copper tubing; this is where the refrigerant runs, which is why the tubing needs to be insulated. Check this insulation for cracks or separation; if it's damaged, the refrigerant may not be protected and in turn, your unit may not run efficiently. Have the insulation changed if necessary, or use duct tape to patch up very minor separations.

3. Check the connectors

Check the connectors where the tubing connects from your home to the unit. You may need to tighten these if they've come loose over time. This will reduce your risk of a refrigerant leak and ensure the unit is always getting power.

4. Maintain the fan

Inside the unit you'll see fan blades and these may need a good wipe down so they move freely without being weighed down by dirt, those grass clippings that go through the grill, and the like. You can also add a few drop of machinery oil to the motor under the fan blades.

5. Check older belts for wear

Many compressors on today's central air conditioning units are fully enclosed and need little maintenance, but some older models may work with belts on the outside. Check these belts for wear and especially if you notice any squealing noises; replace these as needed. Also, check for spots of oil under the compressor as this means an oil leak that should be addressed by a professional repair person.