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Freon will go in the refrigerant lines near the back of your AC unit. Look for small ports with caps on a thin copper line—the Freon goes into those ports. You are best off hiring a licensed HVAC professional who can complete the job safely and correctly.

To keep your air conditioner in good working condition, you should have it serviced by a professional at least once per year, ideally in the spring before the cooling season begins. If your AC unit is 10 years or older, consider servicing it twice a year (once in the spring and once in the fall) to catch potential problems early and help it reach its full lifespan. During a service visit, a technician will inspect, clean, and replace parts as needed. Regular maintenance helps avoid costly repairs. As a DIY task, you can also clean the evaporator coils annually.

While an air conditioner can temporarily run with a dirty filter, it is not recommended as it will not work efficiently. A dirty filter forces the system to work harder to circulate cool air, leading to reduced airflow, increased wear and tear, and higher energy bills. This added strain can cause the air conditioner to overheat or fail prematurely. Furthermore, a clogged filter may allow dust and dirt to accumulate in your ductwork, negatively impacting air quality. It is more cost-effective to clean or replace filters regularly than to pay higher utility bills and risk needing to replace the entire AC unit.

You should know the main components of an air conditioner: the condenser coils, evaporator coils, drip pan, AC filter, ducts, and refrigerant. Each part plays a key role in the performance and safety of your AC system. When tracking the source of AC issues or odors, it helps to know where to look. Your outdoor unit houses your condenser coils, fan, and compressor. Your indoor unit houses your evaporator coils, drain lines, and filter, and it connects to your ductwork.