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Your AC system represents a significant investment you’ve made in your home. It’s also a critical comfort tool you wouldn’t want to live without. So, it makes sense that you’d want to keep it in good condition, so it lasts as long as possible. A well-maintained AC should last about 15 years before needing replacement. Sticking to a regular end-of-season maintenance checklist for your AC is a great way to extend its life. Here’s what you should do at the end of each cooling season.
1. Change Your AC Air Filter
Keeping the air filter in your AC clean is more important than you may realize. For one thing, it impacts your AC’s energy efficiency. A dirty air filter can reduce your AC’s efficiency by as much as 15%. It will also restrict airflow through your system while it runs. That will make your home less comfortable and unnecessarily strain your AC’s components. On average, your AC’s air filter requires replacement once every three months. That makes the end of the cooling season a perfect time for a new air filter. If your AC shares an air handler with your heating system, a new filter will prepare it for the heating season. If not, it will leave your AC ready when you need it again next year.
2. Inspect and Adjust Your Thermostat
When each cooling season ends, you should inspect your thermostat to assess its condition. You should adjust its settings to enable heat mode if it controls your heating system. If your thermostat requires batteries, consider changing them as part of your end-of-season checklist. Also, look at your programmed temperature settings to see if they’re appropriate for fall and winter. If not, make the required changes so you don’t waste energy as the seasons change.
3. Inspect Your AC Refrigerant Lines
Next, head out to your outdoor AC unit to inspect its refrigerant lines. You should see at least two refrigerant lines running from the side of your condenser and into your home. One line should have a foam-insulating sleeve wrapped around it. The other line should run alongside that. Check the insulation for signs of degradation. Rodents and other pests may occasionally chew on the insulation, leaving damage in their wake. The insulation plays a significant role in your AC’s efficiency. So, consider replacing it with a new insulation sleeve if it’s seen better days. You can find them at your local home improvement store. Otherwise, call Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation, and we’ll send an expert AC technician for service to replace the insulation for you.
Then, examine the thinner refrigerant line running alongside the insulation. Look for any corrosion or crimping in the line. If either refrigerant line fails, your AC will leak refrigerant. First, it will impair your AC’s performance. Eventually, it may lead to your evaporator coil freezing. If your refrigerant levels drop low enough, your compressor may overheat, causing hundreds of dollars in damage. If your refrigerant lines look compromised, schedule a repair appointment right away.
4. Clean Up Around Your Condenser
Next, you can clean up the immediate area around your condenser unit. It needs at least two feet of unobstructed space on all sides. If there’s any plant growth within that perimeter, trim it back. Since the fall isn’t prime time for plant growth, this will prepare the condenser for the next cooling season. If debris or detritus is around the condenser, sweep it up and remove it. Be careful not to sweep any dirt toward the condenser coil, making your next steps harder than necessary.
5. Clean Your Condenser Coil
You can focus on the condenser itself once you’ve cleaned the immediate area around it. After a whole season of work, it’s sure to have a significant dirt buildup on its coils. You can remedy that with a garden hose. Turn on its water supply only part way. The water’s full force could damage the condenser coil’s fins. Use the hose to spray the coil from the inside out. Spray through the condenser’s top opening, working left to right and top to bottom. When you’ve finished, do the same thing from outside the coil. That should be enough to dislodge any dirt inside the coil. If it remains visibly dirty afterward, you should schedule a deep cleaning with a professional.
6. Clean Your Register and Vent Covers
As your AC ran all summer, it likely covered your register and vent covers with a layer of dirt. You should take the opportunity to clean it at the end of the season. You can clean most registers and vents with the handheld attachment of a vacuum. However, if any are especially dirty, you can remove them and wash them in a sink. Once they’re off, you can even use your vacuum to clean as far into your ductwork as you can reach. That will help keep your AC air filter cleaner longer and improve indoor air quality. If you wash your registers and vents in the sink, use ordinary dish soap and hot water. Don’t use anything abrasive, or it can ruin the finish of your covers. Be sure to dry everything thoroughly before reinstalling the covers in their original locations.
7. Make Your Yearly Maintenance Appointment
Once you’ve completed your work, scheduling your yearly AC maintenance appointment is a good idea. The best time to have your AC serviced is in springtime. It’s long enough before summer that you’ll have time to make repairs if the visit reveals a problem. However, you can schedule your visit at any convenient time before the following cooling season. Consider signing up for a maintenance plan so you don’t have to remember to schedule it every year.
During a maintenance visit, an HVAC technician will do a few things you can’t do yourself. For one, they’ll inspect your AC’s electrical connections and tighten any that need it. They’ll check and refill your AC’s refrigerant levels if necessary. They will also clean your system’s blower fan and lubricate its moving parts. If your evaporator coil needs attention, they’ll clean it for you. It’s inside your indoor unit, and it’s not easy for you to access it yourself. They will also check your thermostat to see if it needs calibration. A mis-calibrated thermostat can make it seem like your AC is malfunctioning. It may also make your home less comfortable than it should be.
Your Trusted AC Maintenance Partners
Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation is a locally owned and operated HVAC business offering quality services in Sacramento, CA. We offer HVAC installation, repair, and maintenance as well as mini-splits and heat pumps too. We also provide ductwork, water heaters, insulation, electrification, and whole-house fans. As a Trane Comfort Specialist, we only sell the finest HVAC systems. To help with your budget and HVAC needs, we offer financing options on approved credit. Recognition we have received includes the Nextdoor Neighborhood Fave and a Thumbtack Top Pro.
Plus, we’re Better Business Bureau accredited with an A+ rating and have countless five-star customer reviews. So, if you need quality AC maintenance services in Sacramento, call Atticman Heating and Air Conditioning, Insulation immediately!
