Tips for Air Conditioner Maintenance

The heat is back in Houston! This past winter really socked it to us. If you live in Houston, Katy, or one of the other surrounding suburbs you’ve certainly noticed the growing lines at the garden centers. Everybody’s yards took a hit this year, and now that the temps are on the rise it’s time to get outside and fix some of the damage Jack Frost did.

While it’s important to maintain that award winning lawn, don’t forget that these warm spring temperatures are leading the way to some scorching summer numbers. Now is the perfect time to do a check-up on your air conditioner. A little preventative maintenance now, and throughout the year, can keep your system running longer and more efficiently saving you money and aggravation. Summer is the busiest time of the year in Houston for an air conditioning company, and response times are usually longer during the summer months. Here are a few tips to help you keep your system in tip top shape so you won’t be stuck in the heat waiting for an a/c repairman.

• Make sure your filter is clean.

Filters can clog quickly and can pose a huge problem if they are not replaced. Make sure you check them monthly, and replace them as needed.

• Keep the condenser coils clean.

Sand and debris can get into the coils and wreak havoc on your system. To clean the coils, disconnect the power to the A/C and use a garden hose to clean the coils.

• Trim back plants away from the unit.

If Mother Nature didn’t clear them already, then make sure you keep the plants trimmed so there is plenty of air flow around the unit.

• Keep the drain lines clean.

In a previous post (click the link to see it) I discussed clogged drain lines. A little bleach can go a long way.

You can do all of this yourself, but if you are not comfortable with doing some of these things you should have someone come out to take care of it. The last thing on the list is probably one of the most important.

• Have your A/C serviced by a licensed technician every spring.

Katy/Houston weather makes our air conditioners work extra hard. It is not uncommon for us to run our a/c’s nine months out of the year. A check up is vital to ensure your system is running smoothly. A qualified technician will check things like your condenser motor and air handler to make sure they are maintained and in good condition. If you need a good technician, give me a call or shoot me an email. We have plenty of top notch professionals that service the Katy and Houston area, and they are always happy to take special care of The Jones Team VIP’s. Stay cool this summer, and I hope this helps!

Stacy is a licensed REALTOR® and the team leader of The Jones Team, a group of REALTORS® in Katy, who work together to provide exceptional service for their clients. Stacy and his team specialize in the areas west of downtown Houston. These incredible real estate agents can help you buy or sell a home in locations such as Katy, Cypress, far West and Northwest Houston, Richmond, Fulshear, Sugar Land, Spring Branch, Memorial, Spring, Tomball, The Woodlands, and Magnolia. Whether you are in the market to sell a home, buy a home, have a question about home appraisal value, need advice about home staging ,or have any other real estate related questions, Stacy and The Jones Team are available to help.