Central air conditioning units provide the cool air that homeowners and renters need on long and hot nights. The newer learning and smart thermostats let you connect your thermostat to your AC unit. As you adjust the settings, this small device predicts your behavior and turns the temperature up and down based on your preferences. Even if you don't use a smart thermostat and you live in an area with cooler weather all year long, you still need to know how to maintain your air conditioner. It only takes three simple steps to keep it running properly throughout the year.
Get Rid of Dust The vents and grates in your house push the cool air produced by the AC unit to various places in your home. If you suddenly notice that your home seems too hot, you need to examine your grates and vents. Dust and other types of debris can clog the holes and slots in those spaces, which stops the cooler air from reaching each room. You can easily clean away that dust and debris with your vacuum cleaner.
Look for Corrosion The blower motor, capacitor and fan motor are all metal pieces that are susceptible to corrosion. Any type of moisture that reaches those components, including humidity in the air and water caused by a leaky ceiling, can lead to rusting on those components. Check all the metal parts of your AC unit at least once every three months. You can find simple over the counter products that you can use to clean those metal surfaces and remove calcium deposits and rust spots.
Clean and Replace the Filter Did you know that you should replace the filter in your air conditioning unit at least once a month? Some of the older units use a fabric filter that you can clean yourself. Run the filter under cold running water and place on a flat surface until it dries completely. Newer AC units use filters that pick up dust, animal hair and other types of debris from your home. That debris attaches itself to the filter and prevents the AC from producing as much cool air as you need. A
replacement Honeywell air filter will cost much less than what you would pay for a technician to come to your house.
Your Filter Connection is just one of the websites where you can find a wide range of replacement filters for air conditioners, furnaces and other appliances.