Your cooling system benefits from regular maintenance. In fact, maintenance has a profound impact on whether your air conditioner works properly and operates safely and efficiently. Regular maintenance can also extend the lifespan of your system.
Keep reading to learn more about what’s included in an AC maintenance checklist and how often this service should be performed. Contact Poston Brothers for all of your cooling system needs.
A Complete List of Air Conditioning Maintenance Steps
Your heating and cooling system offers refuge from extreme weather. A well-maintained air conditioning system is less likely to fail during the heat of summer. Still, some homeowners attempt to either perform tune ups on their own or simply skip regular AC service with the idea of saving money. When a professional HVAC technician performs a complete tune up, air conditioners run more efficiently which means lower energy bills can quickly recoup the cost of professional AC tune ups.
Visual Inspection and Cleaning of the Outside Unit
Every AC service begins with a visual inspection. Clearing any debris that has collected on or near the unit improves airflow. While cleaning the outside unit to remove dirt, dust and other debris, a technician inspects the cover for signs of wear and damage. Loose and missing hardware will be noted along with other issues.
Checking Electrical Connections
All electrical connections in the outside unit will be inspected. Weather, power surges and attrition of time can impact wiring and hardware. Loose connections are tightened and components are tested. Damaged components will be noted and possible repairs will be suggested with clear and easy-to-understand solutions.
Checking Refrigerant Levels
Like electrical connections, your AC unit’s refrigerant system must be inspected for proper levels, tested for leaks and inspected to make sure no potential issues will arise during the cooling season.
Cleaning of the Indoor Unit
Most homes use a combination of an air conditioning and furnace system. In these designs, the furnace acts as the air handler to circulate indoor air. The air filter will be inspected and replaced if necessary. Like the outdoor unit, cleaning dust, debris and other foreign contaminants is important. After the winter, the inside of your furnace may need to be cleaned.
Inspection of Air Handler Components
Testing the electrical connections and components within the air handler prevents expensive repairs and eliminates safety hazards. While your AC unit has been dormant during the winter, the furnace components work hard to keep your home warm. This means your HVAC contractor will pay special attention to the fan motor otherwise known as the blower motor. All of the connections to the blower motor will be tested for proper operation.
Inspection of Ductwork
Energy wasted through leaks in air ducts, damaged ductwork and improperly operating vents causes strain on your HVAC system and leads to excessive cooling bills. Just like clogged air filters lower the performance of your HVAC system, poor ventilation should be remedied immediately. Small repairs to air ducts and adjustments of your vents can prevent expensive repairs and even early replacement of the air conditioning unit.
Clean Outdoor Condenser Coils and Compressor
The outdoor condenser works along with the compressor to remove heat from the refrigerant in your AC unit. The condenser coils are located behind the condenser fins. These are thin metal wiring or mesh that cover the outdoor unit. The condenser coils release heat into the outdoor air. A clean condenser coil is more energy efficient. Professional HVAC technicians carefully clean and inspect the condenser coil to verify your system will work during the hottest summer days.
Check Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil absorbs the heat inside your home. Located inside your air handler or furnace, the evaporator coil completes the heat exchange to produce cool air inside your home. These coils contain cold refrigerant so they must be clean and free of debris. Dust and dirt on the evaporator coil lead to cracks, freezing and other damage. If left undetected, dirt buildup from the winter can cause evaporator coils to crack, leak or fail completely. Ultimately, the most important part of an air conditioning system tune up is making sure all the major components are working properly.
Thermostat Calibration
The second to last step of an AC tune up is checking the thermostat. While homeowners can test for thermostat issues at home, your HVAC contractor is always working to improve performance and reduce your energy bills. For instance, programming your thermostat to back off temperatures when you are not home can save as much as 10% each year on energy bills. Programmable thermostats and smart thermostats help your system run more smoothly but only when properly calibrated.
Inspection Report
Your technician will work off of a checklist and cater the maintenance appointment to your specific system. Your AC system is unique and the inspection report will reflect this. Making notes of warning signs, damaged components and possible issues helps you make an informed decision on how to care for your AC system. In many cases, technicians will identify minor things like a clogged drain line or blockage in the condensate drain. Simply knowing how to clear these issues can avoid major problems. Regular AC maintenance also helps homeowners know the best air filter for their cooling system.
When you form a relationship with Poston Brothers, our team works hard to keep your heating and cooling system running strong for many years. In short, air conditioning maintenance is far more than changing air filters and knocking off the dust.
Why is AC Maintenance Necessary?
To prevent breakdowns in the peak cooling season, your air conditioning unit should be regularly checked. Just one annual AC maintenance appointment can help save hundreds of dollars in unnecessary cooling costs. Perhaps most importantly, your professional HVAC technician protects your air conditioner from early replacement. Every air conditioner tune up helps your cooling system last as long as possible.
How Often Should You Schedule an AC Maintenance Appointment?
To protect your air conditioner, you only need one annual tune up, but timely maintenance is key. Regular AC maintenance in the early spring cleans the inside components that may be dirty from furnace operations and prepares your outside unit that has been dormant all winter. A simple way to care for your air conditioner at the optimal time is to contact Poston Brothers. Our team is able to set your AC maintenance appointment at the right time of the year.
The most energy-efficient AC systems require air conditioning maintenance to keep your family and home cool all season long. When you call on Poston Brothers, we ensure your air conditioning unit is ready for whatever the summer months bring. Our professional technicians solve our homeowners’ problems with expert skills and thorough answers. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.