“Companies like ours should come out and do the heavy maintenance on it, but in between, there are air conditioning maintenance tips people can follow themselves,” says Dave Mejean, HVAC manager at B&W Plumbing and Heating Co., Inc., an Angi vendor. “It’s like a car: You have to have your mechanic tune it up, but there are still things you can do to make sure it’s running too.” Whether you have central air or a window unit, check out these air conditioning maintenance tips and tricks you can easily do to protect yourself from the summer heat.
How Often to Clean a Window AC Unit
There are two primary areas to focus on when it comes to cleaning a window AC unit: filters and coils. Filters remove the dust from the air and when they’re clogged, they force your AC unit to work harder and use up more energy to cool your home—that costs more for you without delivering results. Coils help move the hot and cold air, so make sure they’re not clogged with dirt and dust. “I would recommend cleaning every two weeks,” says Giacomo Calzavara, Managing Director of JMATEK North America, a licensee of Honeywell portable cooling products.
What You’ll Need
ScrewdriverClothSoft brushSpray bottle
How to Clean a Window AC Unit
Tip: Try putting a little bit of mild detergent or dish soap in the bottle if the debris is hard to remove—but not so much soap that it gets too sudsy.
How Often to Clean a Central AC Unit
For central AC units, Mejean recommends checking the filter every 30 to 60 days to see if it’s dirty or dusty—lifestyle makes a big difference, since people who have kids or pets might have to change it every month, while those who don’t have too many visitors or animals might only need to swap it out every two to three months. According to a recent survey by American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning of 2,000 American homeowners, only 36% of homeowners swap out their air filters. “We often tell our clients that simple preventative measures like this can take just minutes to do but can help ensure your system is working efficiently and can help save money in the long run,” Brian Kleinschmidt, home improvement expert and American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning partner, says. Cleaning the condenser unit outside is another important part of central AC maintenance. This typically only needs to be done once a year, but may need to be done more often depending on the location of your unit, and if it is prone to lots of debris. " It’s important to keep the area surrounding [your condenser unit] clean and debris-free," Mika Kleinschmidt, home improvement expert and American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning partner, says. “A good rule of thumb is to not let any plants or other wildlife grow within a 2-foot radius of your air conditioner.”
What You’ll Need
ScrewdriverClothVacuumHose
How to Clean a Central AC Unit
More AC Unit Maintenance Tips
Make sure nothing is blocking the unit. “Airflow is so critical to cooling systems, so make sure there aren’t any beds, dressers, clothes, books, or other items blocking the unit vents,” Mejean says. For your central air conditioner’s outdoor unit, Mejean suggests leaving at least a 12-inch clearance around it. Constantly check for common problems. Weak airflow, icy coils, and leakages in all types of units could indicate either a blockage in your air conditioner or a clogged filter. Know when to call a professional. “If your air conditioner or other HVAC system can’t maintain consistent temperatures, a technician is the best person to investigate the issue,” Brian Kleinschmidt says. “If your utility bills increase but your overall usage remains the same, one or more components of your system may not be working as they should.” Mika Kleinschmidt also suggests listening closely for any strange noises when your system starts. “If you hear any, call a technician to inspect the problem more closely,” she says.
