Spring in Florida is unpredictable! When we are lucky, the weather is perfect, but throughout the Spring, we often feel like Summer is already here!
It is essential that your air conditioning system is in good shape as we get ready for Florida’s brutal summer heat. Fortunately, there are simple tricks that you can do to keep your air conditioning system running smoothly and keep your energy bill down too!
Top 5 Ways to Keep Up with Your AC Unit
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Routinely Change Your Filters
Air filters are a critical part of your air conditioning system! The filter media (material) catches tiny particles like dust, pet dander, pollen, dirt, and allergens as the air passes through. Some air filters can even remove bacteria and viruses from the air.
Air filters also protect your HVAC equipment by keeping dust and dirt from entering your AC unit. Without a filter, dust and debris can make their way into your air handler and your duct system, limiting the performance of your unit & creating unclean air throughout your home.
When a filter gets too dirty, it can also block the airflow in your home, making your HVAC system work harder to push the air through the system. This leads directly to higher bills and can shorten the unit’s lifespan.
Regularly swapping out your filter for a new one will help your AC unit run more smoothly, but it will help you save money and problems.
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Remove Debris & Dirt
If you notice outdoor leaves and debris accumulating around your outdoor AC unit, remove it from the unit’s surroundings. Keeping the area clear around your AC unit is necessary to prevent buildup from getting into the AC and creating airflow blockages.
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Pour White Vinegar down AC unit drain lines to prevent clogging
You can avoid a clogged AC drain by performing routine cleaning. By pouring a ¼ cup of vinegar into your AC’s drain line, you will kill any mold, algae, mildew, and other forms of bacteria or fungi, preventing it from forming a buildup and causing a clog.
After 30 minutes, flush the pipe out with water to ensure that any clogs were removed and that the system is flowing correctly.
Repeating this every 30 days can help kill any harmful bacteria and buildup and keep your AC unit running at optimal efficiency for years to come.
As a safety precaution, make sure to turn the system off at the thermostat and the breaker before you get started.
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Get your AC Checked by Professionals
If you need more assistance evaluating the lifespan of your AC unit, schedule a recommended annual maintenance visit. An annual visit will ensure that your unit is operating at maximum capacity and prevent you from dealing with inconvenient and preventable surprises down the line.
At a routine visit, your AC technician will check the amount of refrigerant, test for any leaks, check the coils for proper airflow, check the accuracy of the thermostat, and evaluate other critical components of the unit.
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Consider adding an Air Scrubber to your air conditioning system
Even with regular maintenance, many people still suffer from allergies to dust mites, allergens & other particles floating around their homes.
One way to improve indoor air quality is by adding a germ-killing UV Light or an Air Scrubber to your existing HVAC system. These tools disrupt airborne contaminants and pollutants as the air is drawn through your system’s air handler.
An Air Scrubber combines a titanium dioxide-coated honeycomb matrix and UV germicidal lights to help clean the air circulating through your home and can even help clean surfaces such as countertops, bathrooms, kitchens, and doorknobs!
Perform Regular Maintenance for Best Results
Whether you have an older AC unit or recently purchased a new one, it is important to regularly keep up with your air conditioner to extend its life and save yourself unexpected costs down the line.
You’d be surprised at how much just a little maintenance can do long-term, and as always, for additional help, don’t hesitate to contact our certified technicians to help you get started!
