Even in the Midwest, heat waves can make even the coolest homes feel like ovens.
As the sun blazes outside, preparing your indoor environment for the summer heat becomes a necessity, and keeping yourair conditionerin good running order is a key part of that process.
Air conditioning contractors are usually busiest during the summer and may not be able to get to you right away, so any maintenance you can do to keep your AC unit happily blowing cool air into your life is well worth it.
These six air conditioner tips will help you beat the heat. From maintenance hacks to energy-saving strategies, here's what you need to know about how to keep your AC running efficiently all summer long so you can stay cool.
1. Change the air filter
The simplest thing you can do is one of the most important. Every 30 to 90 days, remove the air filter from your air conditioner and put in a new one.
That's it. Done.
Your AC faithfully pushes air through your house through vents and back through the system, cooling it a little more each time. As it picks up particles and debris, the filters clog up, lessening your unit's efficiency and forcing it to strain more. Keeping a clean filter in there keeps the system running smoothly. Dirty filters can also be places for grime, bacteria, mildew and mold to collect and then spread through the house.
Think of it like checking and maintaining the oil in your car — an almost-too-easy step that has lasting system-wide benefits.
You may need to change the filter more oftendepending on your situation,according to Consumer Reports. Some filters are designed to trap smaller particulates, dust, pollen, animal dander and other irritants, and they may need to be changed more regularly because they'll get clogged faster.
Filters have MERV ratings to indicate how effectively they capture airborne particles. The higher the rating, the more they filter, and the more often you'll need to swap them out. According toadvanced-air.com:
- MERV 1-4 air filters:Every 2 to 3 months
- MERV 5-8 air filters:Every 1 to 2 months
- MERV 8 or higher:Check monthly, replace when dirty
You may also need to change your filters more frequently if you have pets, if there is a lot of pollen around your house, or if anyone in your home has allergies or asthma. Talk to your HVAC people when they do the annual checkup and ask for recommendations.
2. Clean your vents
Just like the air filter, vents and air return ducts can get clogged with dust, debris, pet dander, and bugs. If you have young children, you almost certainly have toys down in the floor vents. And everything that blocks airflow is bad.
Get into the habit of cleaning off or vacuuming your vents when you clean the room and regularly take off the vent cover to check for anything major down there.
3. Keep the area around the outside unit clean and unblocked
Try to keep vegetation and other debris at least three feet away from your outside unit, and regularly clear off any leaves or twigs that may fall on it. Just like inside your house, you need unrestricted airflow for your system to work properly.
Many sites and TikTok videos recommend putting shade over your AC condenser to lower energy bills. Don't do this. Not only does it not help much,it may make things worse.
"Shading the condenser simply won’t make a difference in performanceif the cover or canopy over an outdoor unit allows some of the rejected heat to recycle back into the unit,"said Dave Borowski,director of technical training atAmerican Residential Services."The performance goes down while your electric bill would increase."
4. Clean out the drain
As your air conditioner works it pulls water from the air. That water has to go somewhere. Ideally, it goes into a drain pan and then outside the house. If that line — known as the condensate drain — gets clogged, water can back up into the system and come out inside the house. This is bad. But it's easy to clean.
If you feel it's not draining properly or, worse, you hear dripping or see water collecting along the base of the inside unit, check outside to see if the drain has been blocked in mud or debris. Freezing Mechanicalsuggests these steps:
- Check the condensate pan:Turn off the power at the breaker and remove the condensate pan under the unit or, for inside units, behind a panel.
- Get your shop vac:The easiest way to clear a clog is to hook a shop vacuum to the end of the drain outside (use tape or put your hand around the end to make a seal) and run it for a few minutes, then check to see if you got anything out. When it's clear, the pipe should resume dripping.
- Clean the drain pipe with vinegar:You may be able to find a t-shaped vent or PVC cover that gives you access to the drain. Pour distilled vinegar into it to dissolve anything still stuck in there. Some sites recommend a 1-1 mix of vinegar and water. Freezing Mechanical says you can also use peroxide or a mixture of hot water and dish soap. Let it soak for 30 minutes and then flush it with water before turning it back on.
Is your air conditioner old?Here's how to know if you need a new AC unit
5. Clean off the coils
Condenser coils need to be cleaned regularly so they work efficiently. They work with the evaporator coil to remove heat from the air in your home, but they can be damaged, get dirty or freeze over.
You can use a coil brush and a garden hose to gently remove dirt, grass and other debris. Then spray foaming coil cleaner on the coils in a back-and-forth motion and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before gently rinsing it away.
You also should check for bent coil fins, which can be easily (and carefully) straightened with an adjustable fin comb.
6. Get your AC unit checked out by a professional
Get your system tuned up and checked out every year, ideallybeforeit gets hot and overworked.
Tune-ups usually include checking the electrical connections, lubricating fans, checking the coolant level and looking for leaks, and testing and cleaning the whole thing.
Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than fixing or replacing.
