Air conditioning units require service and maintenance once or twice every year. That’s especially true if your air conditioner runs continuously and often. It’s more likely to collect dust and debris if it has to work day in and day out to maintain your indoor temperature. Regular maintenance and tune-up will ensure you don’t have to invest in an AC replacement anytime soon.
You should call the home air conditioner tune-up technician before every summer to ensure your appliance is ready for warmer days. A properly maintained air conditioner will cool your property evenly, consume less energy, maintain comfortable indoor temperature, and maintain indoor air quality as well. If you don’t perform a tune-up, the air conditioner might malfunction in the middle of summer. Here’s what’s included in a home air conditioner tune-up.
1. The Blower Motor and Belt
The blower motor controls the circulation of air within the room so it must function properly for the room to cool efficiently. The technician will check the motor and the belt carefully for any signs of wear. They will replace all damaged parts and clean the motor and belt thoroughly during the maintenance run. As long as your blower motor works well, you don’t have to worry about problems with it.
2. The Coolant Level
The air conditioner should have enough coolant or refrigerant to properly cool the entire room or property. If the coolant levels are too low, the compressor will struggle to maintain the right temperature. That would place excess load on the system and shorten its lifespan. You’ll be forced to invest in an AC replacement sooner than you need to. Regular maintenance will ensure the coolant levels are stable and the compressor doesn’t have to bear any unnecessary load.
3. Inspecting the Ductwork
Many professional inspection and maintenance companies ignore the ductwork because inspecting, cleaning, and repairing it requires too much effort. However, poorly-maintained ductwork can cause a lot of problems down the line. Ductwork can collect dust, debris, and germs, which can compromise the air quality of your home. It can also contain holes and gaps that leak conditioned air out of the duct system. That can have an impact on the temperature on your home. A professional technician will carefully inspect the system and seal all the gaps and damage.
4. Inspecting the Electrical Connections
Electrical connections and wires can become frayed over time and cause problems. Damaged and exposed wires can be a major fire hazard and that can also compromise the supply of electricity to the compressor. That can lead to extensive damage in the long run and even cause explosions if you’re not careful. An experienced maintenance professional will carefully inspect all the wires and connections to make sure there are no loose connections, damaged or exposed wires, and disconnections. They’ll replace all damaged sections with new wires and ensure the system is completely safe for use.
5. Checking the Thermostat
The thermostat controls the temperature output and cooling. It also controls the cycling of the air conditioner. Once the room temperature reaches a predetermined temperature setting, the system will automatically shut down and sit idle until the temperature rises once again. If the thermostat isn’t working well, this cycling will be erratic and the temperature reading on the air conditioner will be different from the actual temperature of the room. The technician will check the differences between the two aspects of your system and ensure the thermostat controls the air conditioning system properly.
6. Cleaning the Condenser Coils
The condenser coils can become dirty, iced, and flat over time. That can obstruct airflow into the room, compromise the cooling, and have an impact on the overall air quality of your property. These coils need to be cleaned meticulously and straightened to get the best possible cooling. AC maintenance professionals will clear the condenser coils, remove all traces to ice and frost, strength the coils, and ensure the air passes through them easily. This will improve the performance of the air conditioner by a considerable margin.
7. Cleaning the Filters
You can clean the air conditioner filter at home without easily. You just need to remove the filter and vacuum it or dust it with a brush. However, sometimes the filter is just too worn down and damaged to be effective. In such cases, you need to replace it entirely. A repair or maintenance technician can provide a filter than fits in with the specific brand and model of your air conditioner.
8. Lubricating the Moving Parts
The air conditioning unit contains a number of moving parts and this includes the blowers. As you might be aware, moving parts generate friction if they’re not properly lubricated. This friction can cause a lot of wear and tear, and eventually damage the air conditioning unit beyond repair. You’ll be forced to find an AC replacement if you don’t keep your system properly lubricated. The technician will clean all traces of previous lubricants and any dirt or debris before they apply a fresh coat of the substance.
9. General Cleaning
Once all problems are addressed, the technician will perform a general cleaning of all parts of the air conditioner. They’ll also remove any debris and dust on and around the condenser unit, the split unit, the ductwork, etc. This ensures that your air conditioning unit works at maximum efficiency and your indoor air quality is healthy.
10. Looking for Traces of Excess Moisture and Mold
Air conditioning systems are prone to excess moisture, especially if the condenser pipes are clogged and the water isn’t drained properly. The excess moisture can lead to bacteria and mold. Experienced technicians examine the unit carefully to find any traces of mold and clean the area immediately. They’ll also address the root cause of the problem and clear all clogs in the drains.
If you want professional installation and expert consultation on HVAC systems, don’t hesitate to contact Pricefixer or call us at 877 774 2334. We’ll be happy to help.