Save yourself from an a/c failure

I posted this in Discussions where Caitlyn noted her a/c was out. I just had to replace my own unit so I figured I'd share some things I learned (most of which I had been doing all along but mine was a crappy compressor).
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Back to the a/c issue.

Right now, we are having a huge number of compressor failures all over the city. Here are some ways to help prevent yours from failing if at all possible. These are not cures BUT might make yours continue through this sort of nasty heat.

Change the dang filters. At least once a month. If dirty and clogged, they make the interior fan work harder which keeps the air flow decreased so it doesn't cool as well.

Might want to see if you can actually get to and clean the coils in the house. they are called the "A" coils to most people because they are shaped like an A inside and the air comes up from the open end to pass out through the top of the A. Many people with cats and other animals, but especially cats, find them fouled with hair and dirt and they WILL end your unit early.

Keep window blinds and shades closed on the west side of the house once noon has passed. Unless you are using solar screens, the direct sun does and WILL heat up the interior air quite a bit. Ever remember those old "Only you can prevent forest fires" where a glass bottle left in the sun sparks a fire? Guess what? It can heat up the air inside your house in a smiliar way.

Check the outside unit (the condensor). There are skads of cotton wood trees all over DFW and they shoot poolen all over the place and the pollen can block the air flow dang near completely meaning you are not getting air through the outdoor coils.

IF you have a lot of crap on those coils, you can purchase a stright wire brush and going in the same directions of the coils ONLY, mainly up and down, wipe the crap from the coils.

IF you are mechanical, go buy some coil cleaner, turn off the unit. Remove the blower fan on the top and move it to one side. Spray the cleaner on the coils and let it sit per the instructions. Do this early in the morning before it really heats up and it will not be as big a pain in the ass.

Spraying from the INSIDE the fan only and only directly at the coils so you don't bend them in any way, spray water from the inside the unit towards the outside the unit. Spraying from the outside in simply pushes dirt and crap further into the coils. You don't need high pressure, just enough so the water comes through to the outside. Make sure you get as much of the coils as you can.

Reassemble and turn on.

IF you had a lot of gunk on the outside, you really need to do that service at least once a month when the a/c is in service.

I hope this helps others prevent their condensor from burning up.

FYI. The old a/c units were R-22. IF your old outside unit goes out, expect to pay a premium for a new one. New units are all a completely different type of coolant (freon is the common word) and they cannot mix a new outside with an old inside part).

Buying a new unit in the winter can save a HUGE amount of cash. Right now, installers are charging at least 4 times their normal rate and are still working dawn to dusk installing new units so keeping it going is critical if it can be saved or helped with some minor maintenance.

Lastly. Many people hate going into their attic to change filters because it is so hot. If your unit is in the attic, do it before the sun comes up. It WILL still be hot but will hopefully not fry your brains when you head up the stairs.

Good luck and hopefully no one else has to incur the cost for a new unit if that is what happened to Caitlyn.

*****EDIT to add after Boom Boom's post.

There IS a drain for the inside A coils and if that drain gets clogged, your a/c will run but not very efficiently and the water has to go somplace and many times it will cause massive water damage elsewhere. Look for the PVC coming out of the unit and follow it, make sure you have a way of pouring hot water down it to clean it frequently. It may require you cut the PVC and install a T so you can get it done.

My downstairs unit has been out since the July 31st. New one going in tomorrow. Been spending a lot of time in the bedroom. Too bad the wife has also.

Good points. I make it a point at the beginning of every month to do maintenance. (filter, clean coils, clean/clear/snake the drain pipe, & most importantly clean the unit outside with a thorough wash) He'll, yeah it is a true PITA taking it apart but in the long run I'm saving quite a bit so I can fund the hobby for all this hard work!