Filters that are clean can reduce energy costs significantly, while leaky ducts allow air to escape into the atmosphere, forcing your AC unit to work harder in order to maintain an ideal indoor temperature.

Routine maintenance by a certified cooling expert can save money on your electricity bill and can prevent expensive AC repairs from arising during heavy usage.

Clean or Replace Your Air Filters

Clogged air filters cause your AC to work harder than necessary and increase energy bills, leading to decreased efficiency and higher utility bills. One quick way to prepare your AC for summertime is to clean or replace its filters – easily done by opening supply vents which have metal grates with handles on them.

Use a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to thoroughly rinse your air filter to eliminate dirt and debris, or else mold could spores could enter your home through it.

If you plan on performing the installation yourself, be sure to switch off the power before beginning. Also avoid touching the coils of your air conditioner as these contain capacitors which store electrical charges; touching these with your hands or clothing could cause serious electrical injuries.

Next, clean the outside unit by clearing away debris, leaves, and weeds from its surroundings. Make sure there’s at least two feet of clearance around all sides. Finally, use a low pressure hose to spray coils and fins of your air conditioner using low-pressure spraying nozzles; be careful not to bend any fins as this could cost extra in repair costs if done incorrectly; additionally be sure to also clear away your drain pan and drain line as part of this step.

Check Your Thermostat

As summer nears, your air conditioner will work harder than ever to keep your home cool and reduce energy bills. Unfortunately, this strain can accelerate wear-and-tear and drive up energy costs; to prevent such issues from arising early, perform simple maintenance before the weather warms up.

Start by shutting off power to your air conditioner using circuit breakers, and turning off its thermostat. Also remove its faceplate and brush any dust off of any contacts – if they become especially dirty use rubbing alcohol to clean them!

Next, open all supply vents throughout the house and ensure nothing is blocking them such as furniture or draperies – otherwise your AC may need to work harder in order to cool an area of the home. A blocked vent forces it work harder as well.

Finally, inspect your ductwork for leaks or gaps. Leaks in ductwork can allow air conditioning to escape before reaching its destination, leading to higher energy bills and increasing its energy efficiency. Mastic sealant or foil tape may help fill any gaps and boost home efficiency.

Consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat, which will enable you to set customized temperature schedules based on when you are at home and away, maximizing energy savings while keeping the house comfortable for you and your family. This upgrade can save money while keeping everyone cozy!

Clean the Condenser Coil

Dirty coils impede airflow and block heat transfer, diminishing your AC’s efficiency and increasing energy costs and shortening its lifespan over time. Over time, this wear and tear may increase energy bills while shortening its lifespan significantly.

At first, take care to store any screws you remove safely before unbolting the access panel on your indoor unit and using a garden hose to wash away any dirt or debris accumulated on its exterior surface. If its fan has been disconnected, use a brush for interior cleaning purposes too.

Next, remove the cover from your coils and apply a foaming cleaner following product specifications for optimal results. Let the cleaner sit on your coils for around 20 minutes so it can break down and lift dirt without harming delicate fins on your unit. Finally, scrub them gently with a brush before rinsing off again to complete this step.

Rinsing the coils properly is of vital importance, as a clogged evaporator coil can force your compressor to overwork and even damage itself. If you can’t find an effective foaming coil cleaner, a mixture of water and white vinegar works just as effectively. Be sure to let them dry fully before reinstalling them – then, once ready, reattach the access panels and turn your AC back on!

Clean the Outdoor Unit

As a homeowner, maintaining your home requires several regular tasks and repairs, and air conditioning systems are no different – regular servicing will ensure they perform at their best when summer heat arrives.

Maintaining the cleanliness of an outdoor unit is an integral component of AC maintenance. Since its condenser sits outdoors and can become exposed to environmental elements like dust, twigs, plant debris and urban grime, its condenser can become compromised with dust build-up that prevents it from expeling hot air efficiently into the atmosphere.

An inefficient condenser coil saps efficiency from your cooling system, forcing it to work harder than necessary in order to cool your home – leading to higher energy costs and shortening its lifespan. You can avoid these problems by clearing away leaves, twigs, grass clippings and any other debris accumulated near or on top of the unit.

Switch off your AC by switching off its electrical disconnect (usually a pull-out switch or circuit breaker). Next, use a garden hose with low pressure spraying to clear away dirt and grime on the exterior of the unit; avoid high-pressure water as this can damage it further. After clearing away larger debris, carefully hose down condenser fins to remove dust or grime – taking care not to bend them as this could compromise their integrity and compromise performance.