Your AC Maintenance Checklist: DIY & Professional Checks
AC maintenance is a crucial part of being a homeowner—especially before New Jersey summers. No one likes to deal with thick humidity on hot days. However, there’s a limit to what maintenance tasks you can do compared to a professional.
Keep reading for a helpful DIY AC maintenance checklist and professional check information, like when to call professionals like A.J. Perri.
WHAT DOES AC MAINTENANCE INCLUDE FOR HOMEOWNERS?
WHAT YEARLY MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE DONE TO YOUR AC BY A PROFESSIONAL?
WHY PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE MATTERS
WHEN TO SCHEDULE AC MAINTENANCE
WHAT DOES AN AC TUNE-UP COST?
WHAT DOES AC MAINTENANCE INCLUDE FOR HOMEOWNERS?
Maintenance for an AC unit should include cleaning various unit elements, checking connections and parts, and replacing or repairing components if needed. There are various levels of maintenance task difficulty, but here is what you can do as a homeowner.
AIR CONDITIONING PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST
CHECK OR CHANGE THE AIR FILTER
Changing the air filters is one of the most important (and easiest) DIY AC maintenance tasks you can do as a homeowner. When air filters are so dirty that they’re clogged, airflow is reduced, and your AC’s overall efficiency suffers.
In fact, it could even harm your AC by making it work harder—leading to repairs or a shorter lifespan.
Finding your air filter should be fairly easy, but if you are struggling, refer to your owner's manual. You should also follow your owner’s manual for how to replace the filter.
A.J. Perri suggests you change your air filter every three months, though you may need to change it more often if you have pets, smoke from a fireplace or cooking, or allergies.
CHECK THERMOSTAT SETTINGS
Your thermostat isn’t just a convenient way to control your AC—it’s a crucial part of the system. When checking the thermostat, make sure all the settings are correct and that your AC activates at the right time.
If the thermostat and AC aren’t working together, it can cause issues like turning on when it isn’t supposed to, higher temps when you want lower, and on-off cycling.
This could also be the time to upgrade to a smart thermostat if you don’t already have one. A smart thermostat lets you program when to turn on your AC and change the temperature throughout the day.
A smart thermostat can save you money in the long run. You can keep your home warmer during the day when you are gone, but set your AC to start working an hour before you arrive home. This way, you can come home to a cool and comfortable home without running your AC all day.
CLEAR AROUND THE OUTDOOR UNIT
If you have an outdoor unit, it’s important to ensure the area around the AC is clean for proper air circulation. This means clearing the area of branches, trimming back bushes, and cleaning up any other debris.
You should also make sure there aren’t any plants growing in or around the unit, as they can tie up different components.
Take this opportunity to remove any obvious debris from your outdoor unit as well. Do not try to disassemble the unit, though. If you can see something is clogging the inside of your unit—call a professional.
With untrained hands, it’s easy to go from a maintenance check to needing repairs real quick.
CHECK VENTS AND REGISTERS
Whether you have an indoor or outdoor unit, always inspect the vents during a maintenance check. You want to make sure that nothing is blocking them, like outdoor debris or a lot of dust.
Clean the vents carefully to ensure proper airflow throughout your home.
CLEAN EVAPORATOR COILS
If you can easily access them, it wouldn’t hurt to clean your evaporator coils, which help cool down your home by getting rid of the hot air circulating through the unit. Dust and debris can cover the coils and cause them to work less efficiently.
You can gently clean the surface using a soft brush.
If you can’t access your evaporator coils easily, do not attempt this. Call a professional instead because you don’t want to deal with an expensive repair.
CHECK ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS
Inspect all electrical connections of your AC. Do not try to fix anything if you spot something unusual. Doing so could put your health at risk; instead, write down what you see and show it to either an HVAC technician or an electrician.
CLEAN EVAPORATOR DRAIN LINE
Your evaporator drain takes all the liquid created during cooling and moves it away from the sensitive internal AC components. If it ends up being clogged (due to dust, dirt, bugs, etc.), it can cause water to back up, getting either on the components or all over your floor.
Either way, you’ll be dealing with damage and a less efficient AC that will most likely need repairs.
To clean the drain line the simple way, you can either run water or drain line cleaner to see if that forces any potential clogs out. Anything more complicated should be left for a professional maintenance appointment.
LOOK FOR WARNING SIGNS
Walk around your home and AC unit and look for various signs of bigger problems, like:
Air leaks or cracks in your ductwork
Blowing warm air
Liquid leaks or ice on the unit
Unusual noises or sounds
Turning on and off
Energy bills going up
Poor blowing power
If you notice any of these problems, make sure to write them down so you don’t forget when the HVAC technician visits your home.
SCHEDULE A MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT
Finally, once you’ve done everything else, schedule a maintenance appointment with A.J. Perri. If you’re part of our Pro Service Plan, you’ll save money on the maintenance check.
WHAT YEARLY MAINTENANCE SHOULD BE DONE TO YOUR AC BY A PROFESSIONAL?
What’s the difference between your maintenance work and a professional's? They have the skills to take an AC apart and handle delicate internal parts. A professional AC maintenance service ensures that your AC works through thorough cleaning and tune-ups.
A typical service appointment includes:
Checking the air filters
Inspecting the thermostat
Tightening or replacing electrical connections
Reviewing and cleaning condenser coils
Checking refrigerant levels (and adding any if needed)
Inspecting your unit for leaks
Cleaning and adjusting blower parts
Inspecting your ductwork
Lubricating all moving parts
Testing the unit's safety mechanisms
Cleaning out the condensate drain line (more serious clogs)
Replacing any broken or worn parts
Examining the fan blades
Each service appointment is unique because of the type of AC you have, its condition, and your needs.
Recommended: What is an AC Tune-Up? Why AC Maintenance is Important
WHY PROFESSIONAL MAINTENANCE MATTERS
While your maintenance checks are helpful, professional maintenance is still important for six reasons:
It prevents small problems from becoming big problems.
It extends the life of your AC.
It keeps your energy bills low by making it more efficient.
It makes your AC safer.
It keeps your AC running smoothly.
It prevents component damage and costly repairs.
Call 732-733-2541 for an appointment! Our experienced New Jersey HVAC technicians will thoroughly inspect your AC and ensure all potential problems are addressed.
WHEN TO SCHEDULE AC MAINTENANCE
What yearly maintenance should be done to your AC?
At a minimum, you should schedule an AC maintenance appointment once a year to ensure it’s working properly. It’s best to schedule the appointment before the summer, that way you know you can be comfortable during hot, humid New Jersey weather.
You should also make an appointment if you have any concerns about your AC—see the warning signs list above.
WHAT DOES AN AC TUNE-UP COST?
The cost of an AC tune-up depends on a number of factors, such as the type of unit, location, and the severity of AC needs. To get an exact estimate, it’s best to contact A.J. Perri. We’ve been servicing New Jersey homeowners for over 50 years and always provide excellent, honest service.
If you’re worried about costs, don’t forget we offer specials and financing options!