When it comes to living in Southern California, air conditioning is a necessity rather than a luxury. Like all household equipment, your AC unit needs regular care and HVAC maintenance to keep it running at maximum efficiency.

A well-maintained AC unit will save you both time and money in the long run; however, if your air conditioning unit malfunctions or breaks, you can count on the team here at ProFlo to replace your unit or install an upgraded one. To avoid having to make such a big decision right away, here are some helpful air conditioner maintenance tips to extend the life of your HVAC unit.

Replace Your AC Filters Regularly

Air filters clean unwanted debris and pollutants from your HVAC unit and keep fresh air circulating through your home. Over time, your filters can become clogged with this debris. When an AC unit is clogged, it has to work harder to circulate air through your home, negatively impacting your in-home air quality.

Clogged AC filters are the number one cause of poor air quality. If your filters are obstructed, your AC unit works harder and longer to compensate, which can cause your energy bill to skyrocket. On top of this, your AC unit could overheat and break down, which is a less-than-ideal situation in the Southern California climate.

To avoid any issues that come along with clogged filters, it’s imperative to replace your air filters every 90 days as part of your HVAC maintenance routine. If there are kids or older adults living in your residence, it is recommended to replace your filters every 30 days as a health precaution. You may also want to consider replacing traditional AC filters with HEPA filters, which are designed to trap more than 99 percent of airborne debris.

Keep Up With Maintenance For Your Outdoor Unit

Your outdoor air conditioning unit is responsible for releasing the heat absorbed by the indoor unit to the outside air. Keeping up with air conditioning maintenance of your outdoor unit is just as important as taking care of your indoor AC unit because if the compressor unit malfunctions, the heat absorbed by the indoor unit will be trapped with nowhere to go.

You can ensure that your outdoor unit is functioning at maximum efficacy by taking the following steps:

• Do not let debris and dirt accumulate around the outdoor unit. To ensure that the system is running smoothly, trim any vegetation around it and remove debris stuck at the bottom of your condenser.
• Clean your outdoor unit with a garden hose to avoid debris buildup. This will remove the buildup of dirt, dust and leaves stuck inside, along with any other assorted debris that may obstruct the unit. Be sure to turn the water pressure of your hose down to avoid bending fins.
• Speaking of fins, be sure to make sure that they are fully functional and not damaged. Bent fins can block airflow through your coils, thus causing issues with the performance of your unit. Straighten bent fins with a fin comb and replace those that are damaged beyond repair.
• Make sure that your condenser unit is level. The pad that your outside unit sits upon can begin to tip as the soil settles beneath it, eventually causing the unit to fail prematurely. If your condenser unit is not level, it’s easy to correct this by simply using rot-resistant shims to level it out.
• Check the unit’s insulation for any damage. All units have a thick layer of insulation that covers the line transferring refrigerant through your unit. Exposure to the sun’s rays can cause potential damage to this layer, so be sure to inspect it regularly.

Schedule Regular AC Unit Maintenance
Even when taking all the precautions you can to ensure that your air conditioner receives the maintenance it needs, there are still aspects of HVAC maintenance that only an HVAC technician can perform. This is why it is crucial to schedule regular air conditioner maintenance with an HVAC expert.

At ProFlo, we aim to save our clients time, money, and hassle in the long run by identifying issues with your AC unit before they occur and proactively fixing any issues you may have with your air conditioner. Our air conditioner maintenance service includes but is not limited to:

• Air filter cleaning/replacement
• Air duct cleaning and inspection
• Checking all electrical connections
• Cleaning of the outdoor unit
• Checking the condensate drain for any obstructions
• Checking and adjusting refrigerant levels
• Adding lubrication where necessary
• Cleaning the evaporator and condenser coil
• Assessing and adjusting the thermostat setting

Air Conditioner Maintenance in Murrieta, CA

If you require air conditioner maintenance or air conditioner repair in Murrieta and its surrounding areas, know that the HVAC experts at ProFlo have got you covered. We take pride in our reputation as the most dependable and professional HVAC service provider in the Murrieta area and consistently hold ourselves to the highest industry standards. We understand how important it is to feel comfortable in your home, so let one of our technicians help you to create a plan of action for your air conditioner maintenance by calling 951-694-1300 or filling out our contact form.