Your air conditioner is one of the most important comfort systems in your home.  It both produces cooled air and regulates humidity in your home.  Contrary to popular belief an AC system does not really cool the air, instead it removes heat. 

A modern AC system consists of three components.  At the exterior of your home is the Condenser Coil, sometimes called the Compressor Coil.  It's roll is to compress and cool the refrigerant by removing the heat from it.  Adjacent to the furnace is the second component, the Evaporator Coil.  The purpose of the evaporator coil is to extract warmth from the air within the home as it is blown across the coils.  The evaporator coil gives up the cool provided by the condensing coil in order to extract heat from the home, lower it's temperature. 

Typically, manufacturers do not want homeowners or anyone else accessing components.  Repairs and maintenance should be conducted by licensed HVAC technicians.  To operate at peak efficiency every system must be serviced each spring at the beginning of cooling season.  Failure to service a unit will result in the unit running longer to cool the home which will result in a shorter unit lifespan. 

So what can a homeowner do to maintain an air conditioning system?

• Keep vegetation and debris from within 18 inches of the Condensing Coil
• Keep the Condensing Coil 3 inches above grade and roughly level. 
• Rinse the unit with standard water pressure at least once a month. 
• Keep the Evaporator Coil pan clear of all insulation and debris. 
• Keep the Evaporator Coil primary and back up drain lines cleared. 
• Install a "float switch" in the Evaporator Coil Drain pan. 

Please check our Referral Link to find a reputable HVAC technician to service your unit.