As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This holds especially true when it comes to your air conditioner.
Regular HVAC maintenance can prevent an uncomfortable and even dangerous breakdown in the middle of an August heatwave. What’s more, it can save you money on emergency repair costs and monthly energy bills.
The best time to ensure your AC unit is up to snuff is before the heat hits — but the second-best time is now. So where do you start? In this post, we cover the most important tasks for any AC maintenance checklist.
Replace Filters Regularly
Perhaps the most essential part of air conditioner care is regularly replacing your filters. Dirty or clogged air filters can wreak all sorts of havoc, including the following:
- Restricting airflow, which lowers the cooling capacity of your system
- Reducing efficiency, leading to increased energy consumption
- Lowering air quality, allowing more dust, pollen, and mold to circulate
- Increasing wear and tear, causing more frequent breakdowns
As a general rule, experts recommend checking and replacing air filters every one to three months. You may need to change yours more or less often, depending on factors like the following:
- The number of people in your household
- Whether you have pets
- Where you live (for example, polluted or dusty areas may require more frequent changes)
- The age of your HVAC system and equipment
- Whether anyone in the home has allergies or other respiratory conditions
- How often you use your AC and your home (for example, vacation houses may need less frequent changes)
Clean Condenser and Evaporator Coils
Your AC unit works by circulating refrigerant throughout the system. Indoors, the refrigerant in evaporator coils absorbs the heat from the air. Outdoors, a fan blows over the coils to release the heat from the refrigerant. If either of these coils gets dirty, it can impair heat transfer, reduce cooling efficiency, and increase energy consumption.
As part of your cooling system upkeep, you should clear leaves and other debris from the condenser unit outside. While you can also clean the evaporator coils yourself, that is not always as simple. Indoor coils are attached to a furnace and may be located in a basement, crawlspace, or attic.
Professional AC technicians have the tools and expertise to clean your coils without damaging them. You can ensure optimal performance by scheduling annual AC tune-ups, which may include the following:
- Cleaning dirt, debris, and blockages from the coils
- Inspecting for holes, bends, and cracks
- Checking for refrigerant leaks
- Acid-washing particularly dirty coils
Inspect and Clean Air Ducts
While refrigerant flows through your AC system’s coils, air flows through ducts in your walls and ceilings. Dust, debris, pet hair, pollen, and other contaminants accumulate inside your ductwork over time. As dirt builds up, you may experience reduced airflow, poor indoor air quality, and higher utility costs.
You can reduce the amount of debris in your ductwork by reducing clutter in your home, vacuuming floor vents every six months, and changing air filters according to manufacturer guidelines.
Every three to five years, you should also schedule a professional duct cleaning service to ensure the efficient operation of your HVAC system. You may want to call for service sooner if you notice air leaks, torn pieces, spots of mold, damp areas, large amounts of debris, or eroded duct tape in or around your ductwork.
Certified HVAC specialists will do the following:
- Inspect your air ducts for leaks, blockages, and proper seals
- Use a powerful HEPA-filtered vacuum to clean your ductwork, as well as other important components like your evaporator coil, blower, and vent covers
- Blow compressed air through your AC system to eliminate all traces of dirt and dust
- Clean all of your vents
Check and Calibrate Thermostat
Another key climate control maintenance task is calibrating your thermostat. Even if all your AC components are well maintained, a faulty thermostat can cause the system to malfunction. Calibration issues can produce erratic cooling cycles, inconsistent temperatures, and higher energy bills.
To check the calibration, simply tape an accurate thermometer next to your home’s thermostat. After 15 minutes, compare the temperature readings on each device. If they vary by more than three degrees, it may be time to call for professional air conditioning service.
Schedule Annual Professional AC Maintenance
There are many tasks you can and should do as a homeowner to keep your HVAC system running smoothly. However, these are no substitute for scheduling annual professional AC maintenance. Besides the items on the checklist above, licensed technicians will assess the following:
- Refrigerant — Inspect refrigerant lines, check refrigerant levels, and test for leaks
- Condensate drains — Inspect drain lines and pans for debris and cracks to prevent water backups
- Electrical — Inspect electrical wiring, tighten all connections, and check for exposed wires
- Lubrication — Lubricate all moving parts, including motors and bearings where needed
- The system controls — Ensure your AC is starting, cycling, and turning off properly
- AC leveling — Make sure the ground hasn’t shifted beneath your outdoor unit, causing it to break or disconnect
- Supply/return differential — Ensure the temperature difference between supply and return vents is within the ideal range
- Motors — Inspect and test the compressor, condenser, and blower motors for wear and tear and proper operation
Expert AC maintenance can help keep your system operating at maximum capacity while preventing unexpected breakdowns. In addition, it can save you on both repair costs and energy bills.
A bonus? It may help you maintain your warranty. Many HVAC units come with a manufacturer’s warranty in case parts don’t last as long as they should. However, the fine print often includes a requirement to have your unit serviced annually by a professional HVAC technician.
Want Expert HVAC Help? Contact Comfort Squad Today!
Whether you’ve reached the end of your DIY AC maintenance checklist or you’d rather leave it all to the pros, contact Comfort Squad today. We are ready to handle all your HVAC needs in the greater Houston area.
From AC maintenance and repair to furnace replacement and home energy audits, we can do it all! Call us today at 281-908-2100 to schedule service.
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