5 AC Maintenance Tips for Better System Performance
With summer days getting as hot as they do in Minnesota, a properly working air conditioner is crucial for ensuring comfort within your home. To prevent your HVAC system from breaking on you during a summer heatwave, you’ll need to stay on top of your air conditioning maintenance. Here are some simple yet effective ac maintenance tips that the HVAC professionals at McQuillan Bros recommend for homeowners in Twin Peaks and Minneapolis, MN.
Change the Air Filters in Your Home
The air filters in your St. Paul home are intended to trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and other contaminants from the air circulating inside your home.
Over time, the dust, pollen, and dander in the filter build up. You will need periodically replace your air filters so that the air can continue to flow throughout your home. If you do not replace your air filters as recommended, your air conditioning unit works twice as hard to cool your home. St. Paul air conditioning repair professionals at McQuillan Bros, recommend that you change the air filters once each month.
Clear Vegetation Around the Outdoor Unit
The outdoor ac unit relies on adequate airflow around it in order to function well. Tree branches, shrubs, tall grass, and other forms of vegetation impede this airflow and compel the unit to do a lot more work than it should.
The Sacramento HVAC professionals at Gilmore Heating, Air, and Plumbing recommend clearing away any overgrown vegetation close to the outdoor unit. A clearance of about 2-3 feet is sufficient for optimal AC performance.
Check and Clear the Drain Line
As the HVAC unit in your St. Paul MN home works, condensation forms in the condenser and collects in the drain pan beneath this component. A drain line channels that moisture away and out of the house.
However, algae and other substances can accumulate in the drain pan or drain line, causing a clog to form. Some AC units will automatically turn themselves off when moisture isn’t draining away from the drain pan. Others without this safety feature will continue working, and the excess moisture will spill into the ceiling, floor, or walls. If this happens, you’ll notice some water damage.
It is therefore advisable for you to check the drain line every season and clean it so that the flow of water isn’t impeded. A wet/dry vacuum can easily unclog the drain line. You can also try running some bleach solution through this line once a month. The bleach will kill any mold that may have started growing inside the line.
Switch to a Programmable Thermostat
Our HVAC professionals at McQuillan Bros have noticed an increasing amount of people switch to programmable thermostats. Those who opt out of programmable thermostats often shorten their systems service life and pay more in energy costs.
For example, why would you leave the AC running all day while you are away at work? Switching to a programmable thermostat allows you to input the different temperature settings for different times of the day. So, your AC will automatically adjust itself in accordance with those preset preferences.
Our St. Paul air conditioning repair technicians can even help you to select a smart thermostat. If you want to control your air conditioning remotely and save energy, a smart thermostat is a perfect way to go!
Schedule Professional Maintenance
As a homeowner, you can only do so much to keep your AC system running efficiently. Some needed maintenance tasks, such as checking the electrical and mechanical components, can only be done by an experienced HVAC professional.
For this reason, we strongly recommend that you contact McQuillan Bros if you live in Minneapolis, Twin Peaks, and St. Paul, MN areas. Our highly experienced HVAC professionals will check and service your AC twice a year. Contact us today for the best ac maintenance in Minnesota!
