If you have central heating and air in your home, you may want to be sure that it is energy efficient. Regular servicing can help to reduce operation costs and repairs. There are some things that you will want a professional to do, such as checking coolant levels. You can do some maintenance yourself to ensure that your system is in working order. Here are some of the maintenance tasks you can do to improvement the energy efficiency of your AC:

1. Cleaning and Changing the Filter to Reduce Strain

The air filter is probably one of the most important elements of your system. It is important that it is changed frequently to ensure efficiency. You will want to use a common pleated AC filter, which will provide better air flow, and thus, improve the performance of your system. In addition to this, make sure that the system is clean and free of dust and debris that can reduce efficiency and cause problems.

2. Inspecting Coil and Outdoor Unit for Signs of Problems

The outdoor unit for your system is the heat pump, which removes the heat from your home. It is important that the unit is clean and clear of debris. Make sure that there is not leaf debris around or in the unit. In addition, you want to make sure that there are no items blocking the unit, such as lawn tools and junk. Make sure that there is at least a few feet of clearance around the unit. While doing this, you can also check the coil lines for signs of problems, such as dirt buildup and freezing. If you notice leaks or serious problems, contact an HVAC technician to check your system.

3. Cleaning Condensate Lines and Doing Annual System Inspection

The condensate lines for your system are what remove condensation from your home. There may be lines in the attic, crawl space or basement where HVAC equipment is located. These lines can become clogged with dust and debris, as well as have harmful fungus growth in them. To keep them clean, once a year you can use a bleach solution to flush them out. If there is a clog in the line, use a plumbing snake to clear it out. When the clog is out, you can use an air compressor to run air through the lines and remove debris before adding the bleach solution to the lines.

These are some maintenance tasks that you can do to ensure your air conditioner is performing at its best. If your system is in need of any major repairs or servicing, contact an HVAC contractor like Universal Refrigeration to get help maintaining your AC.