Essential DIY HVAC Maintenance: How to Save Money and Extend the Life of Your A/C System

When it comes to A/C maintenance, just 15 minutes of prevention can save you from costly repairs and extend the life of your system. While professional maintenance is recommended at least once a year, there are plenty of things you can do on your own to keep your A/C running smoothly.

Filters: Your First Line of Defense

Filters are the starting point of good A/C maintenance. Let’s explore the top 5 benefits of using high-quality filters:

1. Protect Your Evaporator Coil: Filters prevent large particles from damaging your evaporator coil. A damaged coil can lead to refrigerant leaks, negatively impacting cooling performance and leading to expensive repairs.
2. Energy Efficiency: Clean coils, thanks to proper filters, save money by maintaining energy efficiency. A dirty coil can add around $100 a year to your energy bill.
3. Extend System Life: A clean coil means your system doesn’t have to work as hard, reducing wear and tear. Just like a car with fewer miles, your A/C will last longer.
4. Improve Air Quality: High-quality filters (MERV 11 or 13) can capture allergens, pet dander, mold, and even bacteria, keeping the air you breathe cleaner.
5. Prevent Clogged Drain Lines: Poor-quality filters allow dirt and dust to accumulate on your coil, leading to clogs in your drain line. This can trigger your A/C’s safety switch, shutting down your system.

Remember, just having a filter isn’t enough—they need to be changed regularly. A clogged filter can cause many of the problems we’ve just mentioned, especially reducing your system’s efficiency.

Keeping Your Drain Line Clean

Your A/C produces condensation, much like a glass of ice water on a hot day. This moisture needs to be drained outside, which is where your drain line comes in. To keep this "highway" clear, we recommend pouring at least half a cup of drain line cleaner down the line every time you change your air filter.

But where do I get a drain line cleaner?!

You likely already have it! White vinegar is an excellent and affordable option. Avoid bleach, as it can be too harsh and might damage the line. There are also professional options available at hardware stores, but for regular maintenance, white vinegar usually does the trick.

What to Do If You Have a Bigger Clog

If your drain line is clogged and causing leaks or shutting down your system, here are four solutions:

1. Call a Professional: For the best results, hire an A/C technician.
2. Use a Shop Vac: You can try using a shop vac to unclog the line by either pushing from inside or pulling from the outside. Follow up with vinegar to clear the line completely.
3. Buy a DIY Unclogging Device: Handheld compressed air tools or drain line pumps can often resolve the issue.
4. Use a Hose: Carefully use a hose to push water through the line. If you see jelly-like goo come out, you’ve likely cleared the clog.

Cleaning Your Coils

Keeping your A/C coils clean is essential for efficiency and longevity. A dirty condenser coil can increase energy consumption by 30%, according to the Department of Energy.

Cleaning your outdoor condenser coil is easy—just rinse it gently with a hose twice a year. For deeper cleaning, you can use a mixture of warm water, white vinegar, and detergent, or purchase a professional coil cleaner from a hardware store.
Indoor evaporator coils, on the other hand, should never get dirty. If they do, it indicates a problem with the air filter or ductwork. The filter may be too small, not changed often enough, or there could be tears in the duct allowing debris inside.
For cleaning evaporator coils, DIY methods are possible but more delicate and complex.