During the summer, air conditioning is something you probably feel like you just can't do without, especially if you live somewhere with particularly high temperatures. If it breaks down, you're pretty much guaranteed to be extremely uncomfortable until you can get it fixed, so anything you can do to prevent malfunctions is definitely worth doing.

There's plenty of focus on things to do before the warm season begins, but it's also important to carry out some air conditioning maintenance tasks at the end of the summer. Not only will this make it even more certain that your air conditioning will be in top condition when you need it again, but it will also help if you happen to forget to do your pre-summer tasks.

Adjust your settings

Instead of simply turning off or dialling down your AC at the end of the summer, keep an eye on the settings and adjust them gradually as the weather begins to cool. This helps get you in the maintenance mindset and ensures you don't forget about it when summer's heat is gone.

Inspect the unit

Take a careful look over your outdoor air conditioning unit and make sure there are no obvious problems. Most importantly, check for obstructions like plant debris or dirt, as these can quickly cause a breakdown. As the autumn leaves start to fall, keep checking your air conditioning to prevent any blockages forming. If you're not going to be using it at all until next summer, you might find it helpful to keep the unit covered for its protection.

This is also a good time to see if it needs any repainting or crack repairs and to give it a quick clean with soap and water.

Check your filters

Before you access any of the internal parts of your air conditioning unit, make sure you disconnect the mains power to avoid electric shocks.

Once you've isolated the power, open up your AC and remove the filters so you can check them. If they're dirty but intact, give them a thorough clean, let them dry, and put them back in. If they're damaged, replace them with new ones.

Check the coil

While you have the power off and the air conditioning unit open, take the opportunity to check the coils. They tend to attract dust and dirt, so give them a wipe off with a clean, dry cloth or a soft brush. Follow this up by wiping them over with a wet cloth. Let them dry fully before you use your air conditioning again.