Avoid Costly Repairs with These Monthly HVAC Strategies
Make sure that you can count on your HVAC unit to keep you cool in the hot San Antonio summer by implementing a monthly strategy around HVAC maintenance.
Your checklist may vary slightly month to month, but these simple tasks will help you discover potential problems and deal with them in the moment, rather than letting them develop into bigger problems that involve major repairs.
To get started with your strategy, here is what we recommend:
Schedule Annual Maintenance
Of all the things that you can do to maintain your HVAC system and prevent costly repairs, undergoing an annual tune-up is tops.
During a tune-up, your technician can thoroughly clean your system components, casting a careful eye for 
potential problems.
A tune-up will also help extend your unit’s lifespan, representing cost savings.
It also helps energy efficiency, so you can expect to see a reduction in your energy bills.
All in all, it is a great idea to get in the habit of scheduling annual maintenance. Make this your first to-do this month.
Clean the Condenser of Debris
Trim away any long grass, bushes or tree branches that might be getting in the way of your condenser outdoors.
Turn off the power and lift the access panel off of the top. Wipe the fan blades clear of gunk.
This will help with energy efficiency and also help your unit to run more quietly.
Use that same damp cloth to clean the A/C coils, starting with the coils located on the inside.
Once those are clean, do the same on the coils on the outside. On the exterior, use your garden hose to clean off the fins. Make sure that the fins are all pointing outwards.
If you detect a broken fin, this is the time to get it fixed. Using a level, make sure that your condenser is on even ground. If it is on a tilt, it won’t work well and will put unnecessary stress on the unit.
Check the Filter
A dirty filter can cause your HVAC unit to break down. Doesn’t it make far more sense to spend a few moments a month checking your filter out?
You can really save on costly repairs. If you have a reusable filter, pull it out and inspect for damage.
Take a small sponge and warm soapy water and gently rub off any dirt and debris that has accumulated.
To replace the filter, take the old one to the store with you so that you know that you are getting the right size.
It’s recommended that you get a filter with a high MERV rating, which is what measures the energy efficiency.
Your cooling bills can really climb through the summer, so every little bit helps.
