Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips

A proper maintenance schedule will help keep your air conditioner in prime form all summer long. Remember, heating and cooling technicians get busy once the summer season is in full swing, so it’s best to schedule your seasonal check up during the spring. Have trouble remembering to make the call? Trying planning your check-up around the same time the clocks spring forward for daylight savings time.

What to expect from a professional maintenance check-up

A typical air conditioner maintenance check-up should include the following steps (these procedures will check both the heating and cooling settings on your system):

1. A check of the thermostat settings: This will ensure that your heating and cooling system keeps you comfortable and saves energy.
2. The tightening of any electrical connections: Your maintenance technician should also take this opportunity to measure the voltage and current on your heating and cooling motor. Faulty electrical connections in your air conditioner or furnace unit can result in unsafe operation and reduce the life of your system.
3. Lubrication of all moving parts: Parts that are not lubricated properly can create friction and increase the amount of energy during use.
4. An inspection of the condensation drain: A plugged drain can cause water damage to your home and affect the humidity levels of your home.
5. A check of all controls: A heating and cooling technician will check the starting cycle of your equipment to ensure that the system starts, operates, and shuts down properly.

Cooling specific maintenance tips

Once the heating and cooling technician has completed the above check, he or she will then focus on features specific to your air conditioning unit. Common air conditioning maintenance steps include:

1. Cleaning the evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils: If your air conditioner has dirty coils, it will reduce the systems ability to cool your home efficiently. This will cause the unit to run more frequently, resulting in increased energy costs.
2. Checking the refrigerant levels: Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient.
3. Cleaning and adjusting the blower components: The blower components on your air conditioning unit help ensure proper airflow through your system. Did you know that airflow issues can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner by up to 15%?

Things you can do yourself

There are many steps that homeowners can take in order to increase the efficiency and lifespan of their air conditioner. First, always check to make sure that your condensing unit (located outside) is not obstructed by debris or plant life. Your air conditioning unit needs to be able to draw air into the system in order to function properly, and this can be difficult if plants or trees are growing nearby. Secondly, remember to change your filter regularly. Dirty filters restrict air flow and reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner. In extreme cases, a dirty filter can cause your unit to ice up, resulting in significant damage.

If you would like to schedule your annual air conditioner maintenance checkup, please visit our contact page and submit your request. A technician will be in contact with you shortly to confirm your appointment.