Central air is essential during hot summers, especially in tropical or southern locales like the Greater Tampa and Brandon Florida area. Most of us expect a unit to work when it is installed, and to keep working indefinitely, summer after scorching summer. But there is some everyday maintenance that is required. Keep your unit in peak condition, and your energy bills down, with these tips. Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clear Plants don’t know to magically stay away from your unit, so you must teach them the hard way. Trim shrubs, tree branches, and other plants. Keep the grass at a short length near the unit. Clear any other debris that might accumulate. Keep all debris and vegetation at least two feet away from the unit. Clean Filters, Coils, Fins, and Drains Filters need to be cleaned or replaced regularly. Clogged or dirty filters can block airflow and impact your system’s efficiency. This could lead to dirt being carried to the evaporator coil, which will reduce the coil’s he...