How Do I Service My Home Air Conditioner?

You are using your home air conditioner, but it starts to make an unusual sound, and you suspect it will break down anytime soon. Air conditioning services are expensive if you’re not looking at them from a DIY perspective.

It can be daunting if you’re responsible for caring for an air conditioner in your home. The initial installation cost might be nothing to turn your head at. But repair costs are also to contend with; replacement costs for parts, labor, and more. There’s so much to learn and to do—and the temperature will surely rise before you have the whole thing figured out. But don’t worry, you can contact a professional from an air conditioning service company because they are thoroughly trained to perform AC servicing. Read the key points to service your home air conditioner to keep them running efficiently.

By Cleaning Filters

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The filters help your equipment run efficiently, so they must get cleaned regularly after 12-18 months.

First, unplug the unit from the electrical outlet. Then remove the cover plate—it may be on your AC unit or underneath it. You should be able to remove this plate with a pair of screwdrivers.

Next, remove any screws holding down your filter and set them aside in a safe place to put them back when you’re done cleaning them.

Afterward, wash the filter components with warm water and dish soap solution until they’re spotless. Then dry them before putting them back on top of your unit’s cover plate by screwing them into place.

By Checking Fans

Check that your air conditioner fan is working correctly by checking the blades. If it does not turn, it may be broken or damaged and needs to get replaced. If the fan is not turning or making a loud noise, this is usually a sign that something is wrong with your AC unit. 

Check external damage to the unit, such as cracks in the housing or fissures outside the unit’s fins. If you find any external damage, have it repaired before continuing with this step.

If there is no external damage to the AC unit and its fan is still not moving air through it, you should consider taking it to an HVAC technician for repair.

If your AC unit makes a whining noise when you turn on the fan or when it’s running, try cleaning out any debris that may be stuck inside the unit’s vents with a vacuum and damp cloth. It can help clear out any buildup of dirt and dust which could be causing problems with airflow through your system.

By Cleaning Vents

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Vents are where the cool air comes in, and the hot air leaves. If you don’t clean your vents, dirt and other impurities can build up behind them, making your AC weaker over time.

Run the vacuum hose along the bottom of your air conditioner, and then use the brush attachment to sweep away any debris. It will allow you to suck out any debris inside the vent without getting into it with your hand or other tools. Please do not use chemicals as they may damage the belts and other moving components. If you have pets, be extra careful when cleaning around their favorite sleeping spots!

By Checking Belts

To find out if the belt needs replacing, look for signs of wear or fraying. The most common areas are where the belts run through the motor, and one belt connects to the other. If you see any signs of wear or fraying, it’s time to replace those belts!

By Lubricating Fan Bearings

If you have an air conditioner with a fan, you may need to lubricate the fan bearings. It is especially true if you’re seeing signs of wear and tear in your AC units—such as vibration or squeaking, or if it’s not working as efficiently as it used to.

To lubricate the fan bearings, you’ll need to remove the outer housing of your air conditioner. You can remove the screws securing any mounting brackets or holes, then lift the outer housing off.

Once the outer housing is removed, you can access all the fan bearings. Use a rag to remove any old lubricant from these bearings. Then use a rag or paper towel to clean off any dust that may have accumulated on them during transport. Once clean, apply mechanical oil to both sides of each fan bearing. You’ll want to make sure that you clean up any excess oil before reassembling the fan back into place on your AC unit.

By Cleaning the Cooling Coil

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The air conditioner comprises a series of tubes and fins packed together with refrigerant, then pumped through the coils by a motorized fan. This fan draws hot air out of your home and blows it through the coils, where it cools down. The cooling coil has a metal mesh on it to help cool the air.

You can clean it with a soft-bristled brush; be careful because the coils are sharp.

By Fixing Drip pans

Drip pans are located at the base of your air conditioner and are used to catch any water that drains from your condenser coils. If they become clogged or damaged, they can cause your air conditioner to stop working correctly.

You can clean these pans with a damp cloth and silicone caulking, but be careful not to damage them or let them get too wet. If you do accidentally get water on them, wipe them off again with a dry cloth.

It is best to enlist the help of an HVAC professional to service your central air conditioning system. But if you try this yourself, be advised that you should know how to deal with high voltage electricity and have experience working with gas. Never attempt to repair or replace any part of the central air cooling system until you have shut off the power to it and made sure that all connections are drained of gas.