Most of the time, your AC system should work for itself without much maintenance. However, it's essential to intermittently clean your unit to prevent any issues along the line.
When it comes to cleaning your AC, people often neglect the job of cleaning vent covers! Vent covers are dust magnets and will significantly decrease the quality of air coming to your house if left for too long.
While cleaning your vent covers may suffice for a while, it's a good idea to regularly replace your vent covers so that your air conditioning unit can run in tip-top condition and you can be confident you're receiving safe and cool air.
Here's a step-by-step guide detailing how to replace your vent covers for your AC unit:
Step 1 – Turn off your Power
Make sure you turn off your air conditioning unit before touching your vent cover at all! This is paramount to ensuring your safety, as many hazards are involved in replacing a vent cover while the AC is still running.
Step 2 – Find the Right Equipment
Air vent covers generally have a screw to the left and right of the vent to keep it in place. The type of screwdriver you will require depends on the type of screws in the vent, so observe the screws and find the right screwdriver.
Then, place a chair or ladder under the outlet to easily access the screws.
Step 3 – Unscrew the Vent Cover
Starting on the right side, loosen your screws. Once you have loosened both screws, you should be able to shift the outlet from the wall with your hands easily. Then, clean your ductworks before moving onto the new cover.
Step 4 – Observe Your New Vent Cover
Compare your new vent cover to the one you have just taken off to make sure it is in the correct orientation; this way, you won't have to worry about accidentally the cover upside down, which is a surprisingly common mistake!
Step 5 – Screw Your New Vent Cover in
Carefully align the new vent cover into the wall so that the screw holes align with the holes already in the wall. Then, align the screws by hand and tighten them a little so that your vent cover stays in place.
Then, simply use your screwdriver to tighten each screw by turning the screws in a clockwise direction.
Give the vent cover a light tug to make sure the screws are in properly, and if there is no movement, you have successfully replaced your vent cover!
Summary
Occasionally replacing your vent cover will ensure that your air conditioning unit stays clean and that the air you are inhaling is safe. The best part is: It's a super simple job! Just unscrew your old cover with the correct tools and replace it with the new one. You can also use this same guide to clean a vent cover if it's still relatively new.