End of Summer AC Maintenance Could Help You Save Money Next Spring
It has been a long summer in Asheville, NC, and you may be looking forward to the cooler, dryer weather of autumn. Before you start planning your fall maintenance tasks, start with some end-of-summer AC maintenance. Here are three AC maintenance tasks you should do now to save money next spring.
Wash the Outdoor Unit
Throughout the summer, pollen, dust, dirt, tree sap and grime accumulated on the outdoor unit’s housing. Once the summer ends, turn off the AC unit’s power. Use your garden hose and sprayer to rinse the housing. Consider purchasing a fin brush, which makes it easier to get sticky sap and grime off the housing. It also allows you to reshape the fins if debris has bent them.
Clean the Condensate Drain
The condensate drain is where the moisture condensed out of your home’s air drains from the air conditioner’s coils. The constant dripping of water all summer long creates ideal conditions for mold and algae growth. At the end of the summer, while the power to the air conditioner is off, disconnect the condensate pipe. Pour a 10% bleach solution into it. Scrub it with a brush. Rinse it clean, and reconnect it.
Change the Air Filter
Dirty air filters decrease air conditioner efficiency by as much as 15%. At the end of the season, take out the old, dirty filter and replace it. Check the air filter monthly during the cooling season, and don’t wait more than three months between replacement filters. Consider buying the filters in bulk to save more money.
At 1st Choice Service Group Heating & Air, we’re Asheville’s trusted provider for reliable air conditioner maintenance. We’re also ready to perform heating and cooling repairs, installations, and replacements. Our NATE-certified technicians install geothermal systems, thermostats, and indoor air quality solutions. We provide commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services, too. For more details or to schedule an appointment for any of our Asheville services, call us at 1st Choice Service Group Heating & Air today.