Spring Cleaning Your Central Air Conditioning System

​After a very long winter here in New York, we are certainly looking forward to some warmer weather and, with that, usually comes a long spring cleaning list.  Is getting our air conditioning system ready on that list?  While we know that having a yearly maintenance check performed by a professional is an important thing to do, what are some ways we can keep our a/c system well maintained?

• One area of the a/c unit that can affect the air quality inside the home is the filter.  Give it a thorough clean or if it looks too bad, it would be best to replace it.  Air filters should be checked regularly, especially during the months when it is used a lot.  A dirty air filter can not only reduce air quality, but it can also strain the motor.

• A lot of dirt and debris can accumulate around the outside unit during a long winter.  Clear the surrounding area of spider webs, leaves and branches etc.  Remove the cover of the unit and do the same on the inside of it as dirt will have no doubt accumulated there as well.  Inside the unit you will see hundreds of metal fins which surround coils of piping.  These fins can bend easily but you can straighten them out using a special tool called a fin comb.

• For condensed water to be able to drain away from the unit itself, drainage lines are fixed to it.  If these lines become blocked, it could present a problem.  Give these drainage lines a thorough check over and make sure that they are in good condition, are not clogged and are securely fixed to the unit. 

• Although it’s good to oil the motor, look at the operating manual first to make sure you use the right kind.  

 
Keeping your central air conditioning system well maintained will ensure a comfortable home during a hot summer. 

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