Air Conditioner Maintenance You Can Do Yourself

benstaples1 • August 10, 2017

While it’s important to have a trusted central air conditioning expert in Kalamazoo you can trust to call if there is maintenance needed on your unit, you should also keep up on maintenance you can do yourself. Regular maintenance is a key component to ensuring your air conditioner is working effectively and efficiently throughout the summer. While most maintenance needs should be left to the experts, there are a few things you can do yourself. In this post, we will discuss three items you want to be sure you’re taking care of.

  1. Remove debris

It’s important to make sure there are not branches, leaves and other debris on top of in, or around your unit. Do a visual check every so often to make sure that none have accumulated. If air is being blocked or impeded it could mean less efficiency and higher cooling costs.

  1. Check your air filter

From our experience, homeowners typically do not change their air filter often enough. A high quality air filter changed as the manufacturer recommends can make a world of difference in air conditioning efficiency. You should always check your air filter before the recommended change date if you have pets, as the filter may need to be changed more often.

  1. Clean the fins on your unit

Every now and then you should clean the fins on your unit. This can be accomplished easily with a heavy stream from your hose.

At Metzger’s Heating and Cooling, we are the premier air conditioning experts in Kalamazoo , having installed and maintained hundreds of air conditioning systems throughout the area. Do not hesitate to call us today with any questions you may have about your heating and cooling needs. We’re here to help!

Manifold gauge set connected to AC unit during routine air conditioning maintenance check.
November 11, 2025
Metzger’s Heating and Cooling offers expert air conditioning maintenance in Kalamazoo, MI. Call (269) 385-3562 or click here to learn more today!
A professional heating contractor is checking a boiler and pipes.
November 11, 2025
Metzger's Heating and Cooling keeps homes safe and efficient. Call (269) 385-3562 to schedule your heating maintenance contractor serving Portage, MI, today!
Technician performing AC repair service at home with screwdriver.
August 17, 2025
Need reliable AC repair service in Kalamazoo, MI? Call Metzger's Heating and Cooling at (269) 385-3562 for fast, trusted local air conditioning repair.
AC repair service technician inspecting outdoor condenser unit at residential property.
August 17, 2025
Get trusted AC repair service in Portage, MI with Metzger's Inc. Fast, reliable repairs. Call (269) 385-3562 or request your HVAC quote online today.
Technician with multimeter providing AC unit service in Kalamazoo, MI.
June 19, 2025
Save money with timely AC unit repair in Kalamazoo, MI. Schedule expert diagnostics and repair today with Metzger's Heating and Cooling!
Technician repairing air conditioner on the wall.
March 25, 2025
Discover reliable AC repair services in Kalamazoo with Metzger's Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!
By benstaples1 May 13, 2022
Fall is a time that homeowners often look forward to because energy costs are low. It’s cool enough that air conditioning isn’t needed and warm enough to avoid turning on the heat. It’s also a great time to prepare heating systems for winter as well as making sure heating systems are run as efficiently as possible. In this post, we will look at five things you can do to prepare your heating system for the cold winter months and hopefully save yourself some money in the process. Inspect your filtersFilters that are covered with dirt and other debris cut down airflow in your heating system. When filters are properly maintained or changed when they get clogged it puts less stress on the heating system. This means that clean filters allow the heating system to work less hard which saved money on energy as well as putting less strain on internal components of the system. Effectively program your thermostatWhen homeowners switch from a standard thermostat to a programmable one that can lower temperatures when they’re not home or when they’re sleeping, they can expect to see up to 15% in savings. Upgrade your equipment If it’s been awhile since you have upgraded for system, ten years or more, consider upgrading to a newer model that is more efficient. Furnaces like Bryant Evolution gas furnace from Metzger’s Heating & Cooling have efficiency of 90%. Reverse the direction of your ceiling fan This is one that not many people know about or consider. In the winter you should make sure your ceiling fan is spinning clockwise at a low speed. Heat rises and this method pulls cool air to the top and pushes the warmer air near the ceiling down along the walls to the floor. This method has been proven to save up to 15% on winter heating bills. 
By benstaples1 May 13, 2022
Everyone knows that a lot of money can be saved by adjusting your thermostat when you’re going to be out of the house on a short vacation or trip. But what should you do if you’re going on an extended vacation or you have a secondary property that is vacant most of the time? In this post we will discuss what you should do that’s easier on your wallet and your property. A common mistake that homeowners make is thinking they can set the thermostat above 80 degrees in the summer and below 55 degrees in the winter. When a home gets really hot and humid during summer months, the high temperature and humidity can warp wood, strip wallpaper off the wall, and cause various other problems. In the cold winter months, too low of a temperature can mean freezing pipes and damage due to condensation.To ensure no damage is done to your home while still saving as much as you can on heating and cooling costs, you should upgrade to a smart thermostat. These thermostats can be controlled by your phone or computer wherever you are. You can check weather reports for your vacant home location and adjust accordingly. If humidity is low in the summer, you can set the thermostat a bit above what you normally would, for example.Temperature regulation is the most effective way to protect your home and your wallet, but there some additional things you can do, as well. In the summer, you can invest in light-blocking blinds or curtains. In the winter, you should drain your plumbing system by shutting off the water and letting residual water come through your faucets.At Metzger’s Heating & Cooling, we have installed and maintained many HVAC systems in the greater Kalamazoo area. We are bonded and insured and are very proud to be a local business in Southwest Michigan. If you have any questions about residential heating and cooling, give us a call today!
By ben April 11, 2019
As the weather is getting warmer, you need to keep in mind how your heating and cooling provider can keep you from sweating too much this spring and summer. Metzger’s has the equipment, tips, and maintenance to keep you from feeling the heat. Our team of qualified staff will give you the best service with top-of-the-line products and dependable service for your heating and cooling systems.