This is another in our summer re-run series.  I’m bringing up a few topics from past posts that not everyone got a chance to see the first time around.  Many of you have told me that they appreciate not having to scroll around searching for topics they’ve missed.  So, this seemed like a good time to find a few timely posts and bring them to the forefront.

One of the things that happens in our house during the summer is we get so busy we forget to take care of routine maintenance things – like changing the filter on the furnace, which is our air conditioner.  Since we live in a hot climate, our air conditioner runs quite a bit.  Making sure we change the filter routinely and clean around the outside area keeps the mechanics running smoothly, which saves money, and possibly a repair bill.

I thought, like me,  some of you may also be forgetting to do these simple maintenance items on your air conditioner.  Here is a post I did on that very topic some time ago.  I hope it serves as a reminder to you to take care of your air conditioner, just like it reminded me!  Here you go:

We all like a nice and tidy home, so we pick little chores to do weekly to keep up with the dust and dirt tracked in as we go about our daily routines. When we have a little extra time, sometimes we pick a chore that requires a bit more effort. No matter what our tidying-up schedule accomplishes, we always feel better knowing that the floors, cupboards, showers, or windows have been given a little attention.

But, we might be missing something. When is the last time you cleaned around your furnace and air conditioner? And, when did you last have a professional take a look at it to make sure everything is running right?

Let’s say you have a combination heating and cooling system in your home. No matter where your system is located, whether it’s in a small utility closet, in a mud room, or in the basement, the area in and around the system is constantly collecting dust and dirt.

If you have a forced air system, it relies on the unobstructed movement of air to function. If you have a gas or electric hydronic system, you need to be sure that the burner elements are free of “dust bunnies” and other flammable objects. With pets in the house, you have yet another concern. Cat and dog hair is constantly being drawn into the room by the simple movement of air needed for the system’s operation. Get a bright light, grab a broom and the vacuum, and make sure that the floor and surfaces are dust and dirt free.

Now that you’ve swept up and made sure that nothing is obstructing your indoor heating and cooling system, take a look at your filter. How long has it been since you’ve changed it? You can find expensive “allergen free” styles, but the cheaper old fashioned ones are still available. Whatever kind of filter you choose, just be sure to change them often. I use a mid-priced filter and change it once a month. With pets in the house, that’s a necessity.

If your air conditioner is outdoors, it’s important to routinely sweep or rake leaves and other debris away from the unit. Clean up around your system after every storm and certainly before you turn on your air conditioner for the first time each year. Wiping the outside of the air conditioner with a clean, damp cloth helps remove any accumulated dust and dirt, especially after a long winter’s nap.

Routine maintenance for your heating and cooling systems will save you money in the long run. Most manufacturers recommend at least a yearly check up. Of course, if something doesn’t seem right all of a sudden, like the temperature doesn’t get up or down to where you have the thermostat set, call in a professional right away to avoid any costly, and possibly dangerous, problems.

Tidying up around your heating and cooling system may seem like it’s not a very rewarding chore to do, but when you realize the potential risks you are eliminating, you’ll be confident in saying “job well done.”

Ready for more tips for getting and keeping your home neat and tidy? Check out all the ideas at the Spring Cleaning Guide.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 6th, 2010 at 10:08 pm and is filed under Tidy Tuesday. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.