The air conditioning system that will keep the temperature in your home cool is an extremely complicated device. Unfortunately, there are some homeowners that fail to realize that these complicated devices require regular care in order to keep them functioning as efficiently as possible. To help you keep your air conditioning unit safe from some of the more routine damages and problems that can arise, you will need to be mindful of these three maintenance care tips.

Straighten The Coil Fins 

In order to prevent materials from getting inside the air conditioning unit, there are a series of very thin metal fins that protect the evaporator coils. These will can be extremely efficient at filtering materials from getting inside the system, but they can also become bent. Once bent, they will prevent air from being able to easily flow into the unit, which can severely degrade performance. Fortunately, you can easily correct this problem by using a fin comb. These tools resemble a comb for your hair, but they are made of metal. These devices will be able to easily bend the fins back into the correct position. By using this tool on your unit before the start of the hottest time of the year, you can help make sure that your air conditioning system is getting enough airflow to work efficiently.

Spray The Exterior Unit With Your Garden Hose

Dirt, dust and other materials can start to gather on your exterior unit over the course of a year. These materials will also inhibit airflow to the unit, and they can eventually work their way into the interior of the system. When this occurs, they can clog motors and create other performance draining problems. You can minimize the risk of this problem by making it a point to regularly spray the exterior unit with a garden hose to remove most of these materials. If you notice that are still leaves, dirt accumulations or other materials that are on the exterior, you can use a sponge or cloth to wipe these substances away.

Remove Algae From The Drain Pipe And Pan

To allow condensation to drain out of the unit, there will be a drain pipe leading away from the unit. This pipe will gradually start to become clogged by algae as time passes. When it becomes clogged, the interior of the unit may suffer water damage due to flooding. Every few months during the summer and spring, you will need to visually inspect this drain to ensure that algae is not preventing water from draining. When significant amounts of algae are present, you should remove as much of it as you can. For algae that is located deep within the drain pipe, you can use a straightened coat hanger to help you pull the algae out.