Summer officially arrived in June 21st, but temperatures are just beginning to climb. Is your air conditioner up to the task of keeping your home cool? If you have not yet tackled these AC maintenance tasks, take the time now to get your air conditioner summer ready.
Trim The Weeds
If there are any weeds growing around your outdoor air conditioner, it's time to give them a trim. Weed growth can impair the flow of air to your air conditioner, preventing it from cooling as effectively.
Change the Air Filter
Venture down into the basement, and pull the air filter out from between your blower and the primary air duct. Take it to the hardware store, and buy another of the same size. Slide it into place. A new filter will keep your air clean and also reduce the amount of energy that your air conditioner uses.
Vacuum Your Vents
If you want to keep your indoor air clean, you should also vacuum your air vents. Just use the wand attachment of your vacuum, and suck up any dust that's resting on or just inside the vent. You can also vacuum out your cold air return. This should minimize the amount of dust that gets sucked down into your ducts, helping your AC filters last longer.
Clean the Condenser
Give your outdoor condenser a good rinse with the hose. The more dust you remove, the easier time it will have cooling your home. If you notice a lot of sticks or leaves inside the condenser, you can use a screwdriver to remove the outer cover, and then pull these items out. Make sure you turn power off to the unit first so it does not accidentally turn on while you're cleaning it.
Clear the Moisture Discharge Line
Connected to your indoor air conditioning unit, you should see a clear drain line. If you see any mold or grime in this drain line, pour some bleach into the little tub that the drain line rests in. The next time the pump kicks on and sends moisture through the drain line, the bleach will be sent through the line, sanitizing it.
If you follow the tips above, you'll get your air conditioner summer ready. For more important tasks to tackle this summer, see our post "5 Home Maintenance Tips For Summer."