On the outside of your home is the A/C's compressor compartment. Keep this clean year round and free of blockage by plants, etc. A dirty casement can put additional strain on your compressor and the rest of your system. Plants can also restrict the air flow around the component. Trim back any shrubs or other plants near the unit and use a garden hose to wash off the dirt and loose debris that will accumulate over time.
Ductwork
It is also important to remember to check your ducts about every other year. Sometimes the passages can become dirty and even partially clogged when not properly looked after.
Usage
Even though there are many energy-efficient machines available today, central A/C units can use a substantial amount of energy to run. One way to help keep your costs down is to not turn off your air conditioner in the summer. If you leave, it is better on a hot day to just turn up the thermostat a bit. If you turn off the A/C and allow the building to heat up, it will require more energy to cool the house back down again that it took to just leave it running.
Air Filter
Air filters at the intake/s should be checked once a month, and if it filter is dirty, it should be replaced. You should change your filter every three months, at the most. Reusable filters are available, which only need be washed out every month.
Changing your home's air filter at the appropriate times is vital to you and your family's health. Today's airtight homes do not allow for contaminates to escape building, allowing them to build up over time if not properly circulated. The air inside a home has been shown to at times be up to five times more deleterious to one's health than the air outside.
Hiring a Professional
Hiring a professional A/C technician to perform an annual maintenance check-up should be seriously considered. Qualified A/C techs require the necessary tools, skills, and experience to keep your home's A/C running efficiently, avoiding costly repairs in the future.
For a minimal charge, the technician will typically check the coils, compressor, belts, bearings, operating pressure and temperature, Freon level, and will oil the moving parts of the system.
