Your air conditioner may need a part here and there replaced, but have you ever wondered why some parts go bad, to begin with? Other times, you may notice that your AC is short-cycling or blowing out lukewarm air and assume that the issue is simply mechanical. The fact is that many issues arise just because the AC is too dirty.
Consequences of a Dirty Filter
Let’s start off with the one AC component that every homeowner should be concerned with: the air filter in the return vent. Filters are to be replaced on a regular basis, which can be every 30 days if they are made from fiberglass and every 60 to 90 days if they are the high-quality pleated variety.
Filters are meant to keep not so much the indoor air clean as the air handler, which is the indoor AC unit. Below, you will see what issues a dirty air handler leads to. But a dirty filter, just by itself, can put wear on your system and raise your cooling bill by obstructing airflow and forcing the AC to work harder.
Dirt and Grime on the Evaporator Coil
Inside the air, the handler is the evaporator coil, which absorbs heat from the air and sends it to the condenser outside. When caked up with dirt and grime, this coil will not, in effect, cool your air. This leads to lukewarm cooling no matter how long the system runs.
Condenser Coil Must Also Be Clean
In the condenser is the condenser coil, which releases heat outside so that the refrigerant that carried it can return to the air handler and absorb more heat. Yet this component, too, can get dirty from outdoor elements like dirt, fallen leaves, and even lint from a nearby dryer vent. Both units of your central AC must be cleaned, then, to ensure efficient cooling.
NATE-Certified Technicians to Serve You
Cleaning your AC is one of the most basic maintenance tasks. To leave your yearly tune-up to a team of NATE-certified technicians, give us a call at [company_name] today. Residents throughout Westerville, Ohio, and the surrounding areas turn to us when they need heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services.
