If something is failing or going amiss with your HVAC unit, chances are, your HVAC unit is letting you know something is not quite right. However, most of the cues come in the form of sounds that many of us may overlook. If you hear your HVAC unit grinding, squealing, screeching or squeaking, it is letting you know it needs help. I was unaware of these cues and overlooked them. It ended up costing me a lot of money in repairs. I want to make sure that does not happen to other people, so I made this website. I hope you learn how to interpret the noises your HVAC unit is making so you can get it the repairs it needs before you incur a costly repair, or worse, permanently ruin your unit for good.
When you have an air conditioner that you depend on to keep your home cool, you need to make sure you take proper care of it. Air conditioning units can be expensive to replace, which is why you want to take care of yours properly.
Remove Debris From Inside the Fan Cage
Debris can easily accumulate inside of the fan cage on the outside compressor portion of your unit. In order to remove the debris that gets inside of the fan cage, you are going to need to remove the fasteners that keep the protective cage in place.
Depending on the type of fasteners, you will need to use either a wrench or a screwdriver to remove the fasteners.
You can remove all the debris by hand, or you can use a wet/dry shop vacuum, which is designed to handle large and possibly damp debris. Make sure you remove all debris from inside your unit.
Carefully Clean the Fins
The outside fins are designed to help prevent debris from getting pulled into your unit. Over time, the fins can get dirty. The fins are both sharp and fragile and need to be cleaned and taken care of. You can run a brush attachment over the fins or use a gentle amount of water to clean them off. Never use high-pressure water, which can damage the fins.
If you notice any fins are bent, you are going to want to straighten them out. You will want to use a professional fin-straightening tool to straighten out the fins and remember to use a soft touch.
Level the Unit
Your outside unit can become uneven over time as the soil under the unit compresses and your unit becomes uneven. Use a leveler to see if your unit is even. If it is not, you are going to want to get the pad fixed so that the unit is level.
An uneven pad can lead to performance issues and leveling out the pad can really help keep your outside compressor working correctly.
Get a Professional Checkup
Finally, you should schedule a professional checkup every year or two. There are going to be issues that you may not notice but that an air conditioning specialist with a keen eye will easily notice and be able to quickly repair.
These quick repairs can help extend the overall life of your unit. For example, they may tighten up loose parts, apply lubricant to moving parts, and replace parts that are wearing out.
Keep in mind, before you work on your air conditioner unit, that you should always turn it off. You should not work on your air conditioning unit when it is in use or connected to a power source. You don't have to take care of your air conditioner on your own either; you can bring in a professional to help you take care of it.
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