5 Ways to Maintain Your Air Conditioner During the Slow Season

Now that the weather has cooled down in Bradenton, Florida, you’re probably not thinking about your air conditioner very often. While you don’t need to use your air conditioner often during the winter months, you should perform off season maintenance. That way, it stays in excellent shape for the next season. Keep reading to learn five simple ways you can maintain your air conditioner during the slow season for better system efficiency.

Run Your Air Conditioner Periodically

It may not seem like the cooler weather merits running the AC system, but Florida’s air is still quite humid during the winter months. Since biological growth thrives in humid climates, you’ll want to keep your home’s humidity levels between 30 and 50 percent.

Your air conditioner helps to remove moisture from the air during the conditioning process. Therefore you should run the air conditioner periodically to keep biological growth from forming in your home and AC system.

Another benefit of periodically running your air conditioner is that you can pinpoint issues with the unit and have them addressed quickly. Repairing your air conditioning system during the off season is far less stressful than when you have a high need for it. So keep an eye on your AC system when you turn it on throughout the winter to spot potential issues early on.

Check Refrigerant Levels

One way to detect an issue with your AC system is by checking the refrigerant level. If you notice ice buildup on the refrigerant line, your system is probably low on refrigerant. If you also hear a hissing or bubbling noise, your refrigerant could be leaking.

While you can check to see if there’s a refrigerant issue with your air conditioner, note that you shouldn’t attempt to fix the issue yourself. A professional should first inspect your system to determine the exact issue. Then they will add or remove refrigerant or fix a leak, as necessary.

Keep Outdoor Unit Free of Debris

Another way to maintain your air conditioner during the slow season is by keeping the outdoor unit free of debris. If you have any bushes or trees near the outdoor unit, trim them back to at least 18 inches away from the sides of the unit and several feet away from the top. Clearing away debris and keeping branches far away from the outdoor unit will help prevent damage to the system. As a result, you’ll encourage proper airflow.

Change the Air Filter

An HVAC maintenance task you should consistently do throughout the year is checking and changing the air filter. If you have a furnace that shares the same air handler as your air conditioner, you should check your air filter every month during the cooler months.

However, even if you don’t have a furnace, routinely using your air conditioner during the off season means you should still check on the air filter and change it out when it gets dirty Maintaining a clean air filter will also keep your indoor air quality clean and healthy.

Schedule Professional Maintenance

The time of year when you’re least likely to use the AC system is the best time to conduct preventive maintenance. Our service technicians check 17 parts of each air conditioning system to make sure all the parts are working. As a result, your system can function efficiently. Some of the maintenance tasks we perform include:

• Inspecting and cleaning the condenser coil.
• Checking the refrigerant.
• Testing the controls and safeties.
• Lubricating the motor and bearings.

No one wants their air conditioner to break down in the middle of the summer. Therefore, you should schedule preventive maintenance in the slow season to keep your air conditioner working smoothly year-round. Call All American Heating & Cooling today at (941) 451-5228 to consult one of our service technicians about how to keep your air conditioner in excellent condition.

Image provided by iStock