subject: D-I-Y: Useful Tips to Avoid Extra Air Conditioning Repair Expenses [print this page] In the blistering mid-Summer sun, the last thing you want to hear is the death rattles of your trusty air conditioning unit as it takes its last breath and dies. You've got minutes before the heat seeps in through the walls and turns your cool little sanctuary into a sweltering sauna of doom. So, unless you can see the problem immediately and get your unit up and running again, you;ve got no choice but to call in the air conditioning repair company and wait for hours before they come and fix it. After all, the same thing happens to a lot of people and they're very busy. So what do you do? You avoid it entirely by keeping a good eye on your unit and all its workings. Here's a few tips to avoid expense and frustration:
Regular checks. Spring is the best time to check that your unit will be in tip top shape for the Summer to come. You can do this yourself by following instructions on the side of the unit, in the manual or on the manufacturers website. Alternatively, have a qualified repair person called out to check. They won't be as busy as they'll be in Summer! This way, problems will be detected early and the unit can be repaired in your home or office or taken away to be worked on at a time when you can handle having it out of commission for a while.
Check the condenser. The outside portion of your air conditioner or heat pump is called the condenser. This expels the air from inside and sucks in fresh air to be circulated around your house. It is essential that it is allowed to do this free from obstacles. Regularly clear the space around your condenser of any weeds or junk that may have accumulated there. If something has been blocking the intake then it's possible a portion of it has been sucked inside and is tainting your air supply or otherwise retarding the proper operation of your unit.
Clean your filters. Perhaps the simplest way to perform maintenance is to clean the filters on your unit. They are usually easily found and removable. You may be surprised at how much dust and hair you'll find in them, especially if you've got cats or dogs. The debris that accumulates on filters could be doing harm to you and your family's respiratory system so make sure you check and clean them regularly.
If, after sticking to a decent maintenance schedule, your machine doesn't turn on, double check the wiring and fuses before panicking and calling your technician. More often than not it will be a simple problem.
General cleanup. Your system may site idle for months at a time whilst the weather is mild. Before turning it on have a general tidy. Ensure all of the panels are in place and that the unit as a whole is secure. Remove any debris or dead leaves from the intakes and ensure you've got fresh batteries in your remote.
It's no use having an air conditioning unit if it's not going to last the Summer. Keeping on top of the health of your system with a little DIY know-how will save you time, money and having to suffer through the heat when you don't have to.
D-I-Y: Useful Tips to Avoid Extra Air Conditioning Repair Expenses
