Residential Cooling Systems: These 2 Things Require Your Attention Today

As spring continues to bloom, you're probably in a rush to get your home ready for the next season. The first things you might do are clean out your garage and stock up on grilling supplies. Although these things may be important to your family, you also want to focus on your cooling system. If your air conditioning system isn't ready to take on summer's impressive heat and humidity, your family could suffer. The two things below require your attention now.

Air Filter

If you're still using the same air filter as you did last year, it's time to invest in a new one. The right air filter should do more than just keep dust out of your cooling system. The air filter should be able to save you money on expenses. If the air filter doesn't possess these features, try something better.

One of the features you should look for in your new air filter is thickness. The majority of air filters are about 1 inch thick. If you don't use your air conditioning system very often during the summer, 1-inch-thick filters may be fine. But if you rely heavily on your cooling system to beat the heat, you may want to use a thicker air filter. Thicker air filters not only catch more airborne particles from the environment, but they also tend to last longer.

After you obtain the right air filter for your air conditioning system, set aside time to check the cooling unit outside your home.

Condenser Fan

Your outside AC unit houses some of the most critical parts in your cooling system, including the condenser fan. The condenser fan not only keeps the condenser coil surrounding the unit cool, but the fan also keeps the electrical components inside the unit from overheating and failing. If breaks, cracks, or other problems occur in the fan, it can't do any of its jobs properly.

Follow these steps to check the condenser fan:

  1. Locate the unit's shutoff box outside the house. Remove the box's cover, then disconnect power to the outdoor unit. You may also discontinue power to the unit by switching off its breaker.
  2. Locate the condenser fan, which sits on the top of the unit. 
  3. Inspect the fan carefully for damage. If the fan looks damaged, contact an HVAC or air conditioning contractor immediately to replace it. If the fan doesn't seem damaged, move to step 4.
  4. Remove the grated covering from over the fan. Carefully and slowly remove anything from the fan that could prevent it from spinning, including sticks and leaves.
  5. Examine the area below the fan. If debris covers the bottom of the unit, try to remove it. If you can't remove the debris by hand, try using a vacuum. 
  6. Replace the grated covering over the fan, then secure it in place.
  7. Return power to the condenser unit.

The steps above are simple things you can do to keep the condenser fan clean this summer. You can also wash down the unit's coil with a gentle stream of water. Plants and dirt can build up on the coil and prevent it from ejecting heat out of the unit. If you decide to clean the coil, avoid placing pressure directly on its surface.

If you encounter problems cleaning the condenser fan or selecting the right air filter for your cooling system, call an air conditioning service company in your area right away. An AC company can check your air filter, condenser fan, and many other areas of your cooling system. If something is wrong with the system, you can repair it before summer arrives.

For more information about air filters and condenser fans, contact the representatives at a local HVAC company today. 


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