How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Fall

Many homeowners understand the importance of preparing their air conditioner for spring, but what about the fall? Your unit has spent all summer working hard. Therefore, all the components that affect efficiency and air quality need to be looked at. At the very least, the elements of your air conditioner need cleaning and regular maintenance adjustments. However, the fall is the best time to identify issues, replace worn parts, and ensure the unit is properly sealed. 

Your Fall Checklist

Replace Filters: During fall maintenance, replacing the air filters will boost efficiency and assure good airflow. Moreover, dirty air filters can reduce efficiency by up to 15 percent, increasing energy usage.

Clean Debris: Clear away any buildup of grass trimmings, leaves, and twigs, and trim back any overgrowth. This can clog your unit, but also gives rodents a place to build a nest.  

Clean the Coil: It’s the evaporator coil that circulates refrigerant which cools your home. Condensation is produced on the surface, attracting dirt and debris like a magnet. Additionally, mold can become a problem on the coils and fins.

Inspect Ducts: Of course, this is not technically part of your air conditioner; however, leaks can reduce efficiency by 40 percent. Moreover, it can cause uneven cooling within the home. Now is a great time to fix duct leaks and damage.

Turn off Power: The best way to protect your air conditioner, from someone inadvertently changing the thermostat setting, is to turn the power off to the unit. Just remember to turn it back on when the weather starts to warm up again in spring!

Cover Unit: Use only a manufacturer approved cover to protect the unit from the elements. However, do not use a run-of-the-mill plastic tarp. These can trap moisture.
  

If you would like to talk about how to prepare your air conditioner for fall, or need more information, contact your local Sanford FL air conditioning service.