Air conditioners are built to operate well on their own.

They don’t require tons of external manipulation.

That said, they do require some, lest they suffer from issues of efficiency and lifespan.

The question you might have, however, is: what kind of maintenance does an air conditioning unit need?

Without further ado, here is a collection of air conditioner maintenance tips for Paradise Valley homeowners.

Swap Out the Air Filter

Perhaps the most important part of AC maintenance is also the simplest part: swap out the air filter.

By swapping out your HVAC air filter on a regular basis, you can greatly limit the amount of dust and debris that get into your air ducts.

This helps to improve not only airflow but air quality as well.

When you don’t swap out your air filter regularly, your AC is forced to take on more and more external residue.

This residue puts strain on the AC, causing its efficiency to become reduced and even shorten its lifespan.

Now, how often should you change your air filter? Generally speaking, every 2 to 3 months.

Note, though, that if you have dogs or cats in your home, you should make the change every 1 to 2 months instead (because of the fur!).

Even out the Fins

On the outside of every air conditioner condenser is an array of thin, narrowly-spaced metal strips.

These are called fins and they’re integral to the AC’s overall operation.

Over time, these fins tend to become bent and misshapen.

This affects the overall functionality of the air conditioner, leading to reduced efficiency.

As such, every 6 months or so, it becomes necessary to even out these fins.

You can do this with a knife or any other thin, solid object.

Take the knife and run it between each fin, doing so until they’re straight and open.

This should improve airflow into the AC, allowing it to operate to the best of its capabilities.

Clean the Coils

Another big component of AC maintenance is the cleaning of the coils.

These coils include the evaporator coils and the condenser coils, both of which are vital to the AC’s overall operation.

See, over time, these coils tend to get dirty.

The dirtier they become, the less efficient they are in performing their function.

As such, by cleaning them every 6 months or so, you can ensure that they’re operating optimally.

How do you clean the condenser and evaporator coils? Generally speaking, it’s best to use a specialized coil cleaner.

For more information, click here.

Clear the Condensate Drain

In every air conditioning unit is a condensate drain.

This drain catches condensation produced by the air conditioner and then filters it out to the outside of the home.

Unfortunately, over time, this drain can take on mold and bacteria.

This can lead to blockages within the drain, thereby backing up the system.

As such, you need to clear it on a regular basis.

It is possible for homeowners to clear their condensate drains on their own.

However, if you’re having trouble with the task, your local air conditioning repair company can help you.

Maintain the Refrigerant Line Insulation

The refrigerant line is the thin strip that runs from the condenser of the AC into the home.

It transfers refrigerant from the condenser to the blower, allowing the AC to work its magic.

In order for an AC to run efficiently, its refrigerant line must remain insulated.

Insulation regulates the temperature of the refrigerant, ensuring that it’s working as hard as it possibly can.

Unfortunately, over time, the insulation on this line can deteriorate.

As such, it’s important to check it regularly, ensuring that it’s still, indeed, intact.

If it’s not, you should add extra insulation as soon as possible.

Install a Smart Thermostat

Generally speaking, the less an air conditioner operates, the longer it will last.

As such, if you want to get the most out of your AC, you need to allow it to rest when it’s not absolutely needed.

You can do this with the help of a smart thermostat.

Smart thermostats not only allow you to preset temperatures for your AC but also enable you to adjust temperatures from a remote location.

So, let’s say you forgot to increase the temperature before going to work.

With a smart thermostat, you could simply make the adjustment from the comfort of your office chair.

Smart thermostats are beneficial not only because of their automation capabilities but because they save you money.

With a smart thermostat, your energy bills will be lower, and your unit will last longer.

Schedule Yearly Inspections

Our last AC maintenance tip is to schedule yearly inspections.

Why is this necessary? Because, despite your best efforts, you’re likely still lacking the expertise needed to diagnose underlying air conditioning problems.

Professional HVAC technicians, on the other hand, are chockful of that expertise.

They’re trained to spot such issues and will be able to detect small problems in your system before they turn into big problems.

Yes, you’ll have to spend a bit of money on these inspections.

However, that small amount of money will pale in comparison to what you might have to spend on an undiagnosed issue.

You could be saving yourself hundreds or even thousands of dollars in the process.

Top Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips for Paradise Valley Homeowners

And there they are, the top air conditioner maintenance tips for Paradise Valley homeowners.

Put these tips to good use and you’re almost sure to get the most out of your air conditioning unit.

Need help with air conditioning maintenance or air conditioning repair? If so, and if you’re in Paradise Valley, we here at Scottsdale Air Heating & Cooling can help.

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Looking for the top HVAC company in Paradise Valley to keep your AC System running & safe? We can help! Contact the Surprisingly Affordable HVAC experts at Scottsdale Air Heating & Cooling to get more information here: 480-359-7141 OR you can request service online here.

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