Simple Tips on How to Clean an Outdoor AC Unit

Your air conditioning unit works hard to maintain a comfortable environment in your home, particularly during those long, hot summer days. Similar to any other appliance, regular maintenance is key for optimal performance. Some of these tasks, like cleaning your outdoor AC unit, can be done by some handy homeowners themselves. However, it’s generally best practice to leave your important yearly maintenance to the pros. If you’re a handy homeowner that wants to do a little extra in between your professional maintenance from a licensed technician, here’s a general outline of what cleaning and outdoor unit looks like! Step 1. Cut off the Power Disclaimer: It’s critical to switch off the power to your AC unit before starting any maintenance or cleaning for your safety. Your safety is paramount, so the first step is to disconnect the power to the AC unit. Locate the exterior shut-off box near the unit and turn it off. It’s a crucial step to avoid any accidental electrical shocks. Step 2. Clear Debris Around the Unit Next, make sure there’s no debris around your outdoor unit. Remove any loose leaves, twigs, or grass. Trim back overgrown shrubs or branches that may interfere with the unit’s...

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Do I Need My AC Fan Speed Adjusted?

Unless your HVAC has a variable-speed blower fan, it will always circulate air throughout your home at the same rate of speed. This rate is determined by how fast the blower fan in your air handler spins. Although the fan only spins at one speed, most units still allow you to adjust the speed to be faster or slower. When you adjust the fan speed, it changes the airflow rate and will allow you to cool the home slower or more quickly. Changing the fan speed is usually not necessary and can potentially create issues with your AC system’s performance. Nonetheless, there are situations where adjusting the fan speed can help improve home comfort. Let’s now take a look at the effect that fan speed has on your AC system and the reasons why you might need to have it adjusted. Fan Speed and Airflow Rates To work efficiently, air conditioning systems need to circulate so many cubic feet of air per minute. The exact volume required is determined by the size of the AC unit. The general rule is that the blower fan needs to circulate between 350 and 400 cubic feet of air per minute for each AC...

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