HOW TO TAKE CARE OF AIR COND
6. Check your ductwork for leaks.
You don’t want all the cold air to leak out into your attic, so check to see if you notice any holes where air escapes. There are two common types of ductwork: flexible ducts and rigid metal ducts. Flexible ductwork is often used because it’s faster to install, but it doesn’t last as long. Metal ductwork lasts longer. If you have holes or leaks in your flexible duct, it’s time to replace it. If you have a leak in metal ductwork, you can seal it with…can you guess? Duct tape. (Yes, that is why it’s called duct tape.)
7. Insulate your ductwork.
Ducts usually run through the attic, and it gets hot up there. It’s worth investing money in an extra wrap of insulation around the ducts. Get the insulation wrap that is backed with foil, not plastic, because the plastic breaks down over time.
8. Clean your outside unit annually.
Dirt and debris build up on your outside unit (the condenser), which blocks airflow and makes your air conditioner work harder. Once a year you want to wash off the debris; first turn off the power, and then you can use a garden hose. Gently rinse it so the water cleans between the thin metal fins on the condenser. (You don’t want to spray against the fins because they can bend easily.)
9. Secure your outside unit.
Your outside unit is a target for theft. It’s not that they want the air conditioner itself, but the copper inside is valuable and can be sold as scrap metal. Keep your unit out of view with hedges or a fence that will also provide shade for high efficiency, but take care not to block the airflow. You can also bolt it down to the concrete base.
10. Collect free water.
Air conditioners create a lot of condensate from the air, and that water drips out of your house from the condensate line. During the summer months, our air conditioner puts out over five gallons of clean water from the air every day. Set a water barrel on the side of your house under the condensate line to catch the drips, and use that to water your landscape.
