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Air Conditioning Preventative Maintenance in Little Rock, AR

The old saying “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” couldn’t be more true when it comes to your air conditioner. No matter the time of year, preventative maintenance to make sure your AC is in good shape is not only a good idea—it will also likely save you money on air conditioning repair and will lengthen the life of your unit.

At BR McGinty, we understand that many savvy homeowners like to take control of their own home maintenance and repair tasks. This page will provide guidance as to how to properly address some of the most basic AC maintenance issues.

When in doubt, call a professional. Our BR McGinty technicians are trained and experienced, and they can often spot potential problems that could otherwise cost you more in the long run. Schedule an appointment for a FREE service estimate!

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It’s never too late for a little preventative maintenance. 

In Little Rock, the best time of year for an AC check-up is in the early spring before sunny days require us to lower the thermostat. Follow this guide to prevent many of the most common air conditioning problems, and hopefully to save money in the long run.

Keep in mind that, just like vehicle maintenance, some things are best left to professional air conditioner repair technicians. Call BR McGinty air conditioning service and repair in Little Rock, Arkansas for all of your AC repair and maintenance needs, including annual maintenance and preventative care inside your AC unit.

AC Maintenance: Outdoors

Turn off the power. Air conditioners have a lot of moving parts that can be very dangerous. In addition, it’s never a good idea to gamble when working around electricity. Look for an AC shut-off box outside near your AC unit and flip the switch. Inside, shut off the power at the breaker box.

Clear debris. Remove any leaves or debris on the outside of your unit. Leave the inside to the pros. The blades can be very sharp, and there are a lot of moving parts that can be damaged if taken apart or put back together incorrectly. Your skilled AC service technician will clean debris inside your unit as part of your annual service contract. Beyond your AC unit, follow the “give it two feet” rule. Clean up the area surrounding your air conditioner, making sure there are no leaves, branches, or clutter within two feet of the unit. This will help to ensure your air conditioning has proper airflow.

Wash the fins. On an AC unit, fins are the small metal pieces that look like a grill on the outside of your condenser. Their purpose is to allow heat to escape the unit, but when they’re clogged, they obstruct airflow. Use a garden hose to rinse fins from the outside. Note: Do not use a pressure washer. This can damage the fins. Do not use cleaners or other products yourself; some products can damage copper inside your unit and should only be used by an experienced service technician.

Inspect the wires. Be sure power is turned off to both the unit and at the breaker. Evaluate the wiring leading to the unit to check for wear and tear. Wrap exposed wires with electrical tape as necessary. Not sure? Contact a professional.

Level it out. Use a level to make sure your AC unit hasn’t begun to settle on one or more sides. Out-of-level units may cause the components within the compressor to wear sooner. If it’s not perfectly level, use weather-resistant shims to even it out.

Turn the power back on. Once your unit is clean and level, you can turn the power back on—unless you take a little more time to complete the steps below. 

Air Conditioning Maintenance: Indoors

Indoors, your HVAC unit also requires care. Your safest bet is to contact a professional air conditioning repair service. When in doubt, call the pros and avoid costly mistakes.

Here are a few preventative measures you may try on your own:

Clean the drain. The evaporator coil’s drain pan empties into a white, black, or gray 3/4” PVC pipe that often flows to the outdoors or empties into a basement floor drain. If the pipe isn’t cleaned regularly, algae or mold can grow inside, potentially obstructing the flow. To clean the drain, pour about a cup of a solution made from equal parts bleach and water down the drain to kill any algae growing inside. Once that’s done, add a drain pan tablet, available at your favorite home improvement store, to the pan to prevent regrowth.

Replace the HVAC filter. You should replace your HVAC filter quarterly—or more often if you live in a particularly dusty area. The most important consideration is to make sure you replace your current filter with a new one with the same airflow rating. Be cautious of filters labeled as HEPA filters or “air-purifying” filters because they can reduce airflow and cause undue strain on your blower motor. You can often find the filter where the large duct enters the indoor portion of your unit, in a wall, in a ceiling grille, or in other places in your unique home. Use a screwdriver to loosen the latch if necessary. Remove the old air filter and replace it with the new one, aligning the directional arrows. Replace and re-latch the door.

Bottom line: There are steps you can take to help maintain your HVAC system. For those times when you need us, BR McGinty air conditioning repair and maintenance in Little Rock is here for you. Call us today for all of your heating and cooling needs.

Schedule Your Preventative Maintenance

Are you considering purchasing a new air conditioning unit or are you dissatisfied with how your current unit operates? You’ve come to the right place!

With nearly 50 years of air conditioning and cooling systems experience, the experts at BR McGinty can diagnose, repair, replace or install any cooling system. Whatever the situation, our experienced staff of Little Rock, Arkansas AC service technicians, and installation crews are ready to solve any problem.

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Our air conditioning services include:

  • Preventative Maintenance
  • Repair and Replacement
  • New Construction
  • Room Additions
  • Ductless Systems

Contact BR McGinty!

Our team has decades of experience, and we provide fast courteous service. We are fully licensed and insured, and we work with all air conditioning brands. Every one of our service trucks carries tools and supplies needed for most repairs, allowing us to be in and out—and your HVAC system back in service—in no time!

We offer 24/7 emergency HVAC repair services. You can rely on BR McGinty to be there when you need us! Our annual maintenance agreement provides more information.

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