2 Tips For Maintaining Clear Air Flow Through Your Home's Central AC Unit
When the temperatures spike during the hot, summer months, you probably want to do what you can to keep your home cool while also reducing the strain on your air conditioner, as well as keeping your cooling bills as low as possible. One way to accomplish these things is to make sure the air flows easily through the AC unit.
Along with changing or cleaning the filter once a month, depending on your unit's model, you can also use the following tips to ensure that the air flows unrestricted through your home's central air conditioning unit.
1. Keep the Area Around the Unit Clear
Since your central AC unit is located outside, it is subjected to a lot of exterior forces and debris that can clog up the vents, compressor, and condenser. Over the course of the summer, part of this debris includes any vegetation that is growing next to or around the unit, such as grass, bushes, or leaves on trees, that can get stuck on and sucked into the air conditioner.
During the summer months, check the area around the AC unit every week, such as when you go outside to mow the grass. If you see any leaves or grass clippings stuck on the unit, gently whisk them away with a soft-bristle brush.
Then, cut back any vegetation that is growing within a foot of the unit's exterior. And, when you mow the grass, make sure you point the chute away from the unit.
2. Rinse off the Outside of the Air Conditioner
Even if you keep debris away from the unit's exterior, it will still get dirty as it sucks in air, carrying with it dust, pollen, and dirt. If you allow the dirt to accumulate for too long, it will start to clog up the unit and decrease the air's ability to flow freely.
Once a month, when you change or clean the filter, use a garden hose with a nozzle set on medium to rinse off the exterior. Try to hold the nozzle at an angle instead of spraying it straight on, as this could force the dirt further into the unit.
Using the above tips can help you keep the air flowing freely through your home's air conditioner. However, since the interior of the unit can also become dirty, you should also consider having it professionally cleaned. Contact a company that offers residential AC services to schedule a time to have someone come out to clean and maintain your central air conditioning unit.