If you own a home, you should never neglect your AC unit. Doing so could lead to uncomfortable temperatures inside and costly AC repair. To prevent these issues, you'll need to perform these critical AC maintenance steps.  

Protect the Exterior Unit 

An integral part of your AC system is the condenser unit located outside. Since it's exposed to weather elements, such as dirt, wind, and debris, you need to take extra protective measures. For example, it's a good idea to set up a protective fence around it. Then, the condenser unit won't be as prone to getting dirty.

You'll also want to keep the condenser unit's interior clean so that it can work efficiently. You can do this by removing the access grate and cleaning the interior components, particularly the fans. Clean them off with water from a hose, and make sure the fans are straightened back to their original position.

Change Out a Faulty Thermostat 

There will be times when your AC unit works perfectly. Instead, the problem lies with your thermostat, which is responsible for communicating with your HVAC system as far as when to turn off and on. If it's consistently hot in your house or the thermostat is more than a decade old, you should consider a replacement.

If you're looking to save money, low-voltage thermostats are ideal. So are programmable thermostats, and they let you set cooling cycles. Your unit will turn on and off at certain times during the day, and you won't have to press any button.

Clean the Evaporator Coils 

So that your AC unit doesn't work harder than it has to and possibly overheat, you need to keep the evaporator coils clean. First, you'll want to disconnect the power to your HVAC system. You'll then need to locate the coil access panel and remove it with screws. 

If the coils are covered with dirt and debris, you need to use a potent commercial cleaner. It will eat away at any grime that seems to not be coming off so easily. If you're having trouble, you can use a soft-bristled brush. Keep brushing until the coils are completely clean.

When problems happen with your AC unit, they are not always cheap to fix. For this reason, you need to take the right maintenance/preventative steps to keep your unit running correctly. Keep up with them throughout the entire year, so you don't have to spend a fortune on AC repairs.