If you're tired of your central air conditioning system struggling to keep your home reasonably cool every summer, you may consider replacing the entire system. Before you make any big decisions about your cooling system, take time to remove dust from the indoor unit and the closet that houses it. If dust builds up on the air handler or closet door, it can affect the equipment inside the air handler. Try the tip below to see if it helps your central AC perform better. 

Remove Dust From the Closet and Air Handler

The air handler houses the evaporator coil, one of the most crucial heat-absorbing components in your cooling system. Dust accumulating on the air handler and closet door can eventually make its way inside the evaporator coil. If this happens, the coil can ice up and not perform well. Eventually, the coil can fail from stress. 

You'll need to gather a few helpful cleaning supplies to help you remove the dust on your air handler and closet door. These supplies include a vacuum, small bucket of water, cleaning cloth, and broom. If the closet is dark, obtain a large flashlight to help you see better. 

Now, inspect the AC closet's door for dust. Most AC closet doors have thin horizontal vents or grilles on their paneling that allow indoor air to circulate in and out of the closet. Dust can accumulate between the vents and block airflow through them. If your AC closet doesn't have vents on it, make a note to have the door retrofitted with vents later on. If the door does feature grilles, use your broom and vacuum to clean them thoroughly. 

Next, inspect the condition of your air handler. If the air handler appears dirty, switch off your cooling system, then use a slightly damp cloth to clean the unit. When you finish cleaning the air handler, change the air filter and return power to your AC. You'll need to wait a while for your AC to cool down your house. The time may vary, depending on the size, age, and overall condition of your cooling system.

If your home still feels hot or unnaturally hot after a reasonable wait time, you'll need to have an HVAC contractor check your air conditioning system. 

Schedule a Maintenance Appointment for Your System

Central air conditioning systems can wear down from yearly stress. This stress can cause failure in the evaporator coil, condenser coil, compressor, and capacitor. A contractor will check all of these parts to see if they suffered any mechanical problems throughout the years. 

If a contractor's inspection does reveal big problems with one of your AC units, you may want to go ahead and replace both units. Even if a unit performs well now, it can still break down in the future. Replacing both units can prevent unnecessary suffering in the summer. If you do decide to replace the units, be sure to select equipment that won't have to work as hard to cool your home. You want to save as much energy during the summer as you can. 

A contractor may also check your home's air ducts and registers for dust and other obstructions during the inspection. If your ducts and registers do have serious problems, a contractor may offer to clean or replace them for you. Air ducts can leak air into your wall cavities, crawl space, and attic. A loss of air can raise your energy expenses as well as place undue stress on your cooling equipment. By cleaning or replacing your air ducts, you prevent the loss of air and energy. 

If you wish to improve your central air conditioning system, contact an air conditioning contractor immediately.

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