Air conditioning has many advantages, including controlling temperatures and humidity within homes. It is also beneficial for your health because it reduces the amount of pollutants, dust, and allergens circulating within a home. Proper maintenance helps AC systems run more efficiently, meaning less energy is used. Here are a few ways an air conditioning service can help maintain your AC:
Remove Debris From the Outdoor Units
Leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and dust may affect outdoor AC units. Ants, mice, and sometimes even birds can make their homes on or around the unit. A local air conditioning service professional starts by shutting down the unit. They clean the fins and coils with a vacuum or a soft brush, then remove plants that grow near the affected region to avoid a recurrence in the future. They rinse the unit using mild pressure from the hose to remove surface dirt and dust. For tough and persistent dirt, they use a commercial coil cleaning solution.
Regularly Change and Clean Air Filters
Some causes of dirty air filters are dust, pet dander, pollen, and other airborne materials. Indoor smoking, frequent cooking, and high humidity can also cause filter deterioration. Other causes of filter failure include using low-quality filters or incorrect installation methods.
A dirty air filter negatively impacts performance, causing restricted airflow, energy wastage, and unhealthy indoor air. Contaminated filters also put more pressure on the HVAC system, which can lead to overheating or freezing.
Clean Evaporator and Condenser Coils Annually
Numerous factors cause problems with evaporator and condenser coils, such as dust, dirt, debris, mold, and corrosion. Mechanical damages can also lead to leakage or bent fins. To prevent corrosion, the surfaces may be painted.
Bent fins can be straightened using a fin comb. In extreme cases or where there are significant problems such as cracks or drain back issues, plumbers can install new coil parts or replace the whole air conditioning unit. Most of these problems can be avoided through proper maintenance and cleaning.
Check and Fix Loose Components
Loose connections in Air conditioning systems include wire nuts, terminal screws, contactor connections, and capacitor terminals. Poor connections are likely to cause problems such as intermittent operation, system failure, buzzing sounds, or visible sparking. Technicians could see discoloration and signs of melting around some connections.
HVAC technicians review all connectors and fasten insecure screws, as well as remove or replace spoiled wire nuts. In severe cases, they change parts such as contactors or capacitors entirely. Technicians also clean the connection points to remove any corrosion and coat them with dielectric grease to avoid more problems in the future. They then perform inspections to make sure the system works as expected after repair.
Check Refrigerant Levels
Damaged coils, joints, or refrigerant lines are the most common causes of leaks. Refrigerant leakage can also result from improper installation, equipment manufacturing defects, or damage to parts. Vibrations that occur over an extended period cause connections to weaken, leading to the escape of the refrigerant.
Plumbers use electronic leak detectors, UV dye, or pressure tests to identify the leakage. After the leaks are detected, they are addressed by filling up minor cracks, replacing damaged parts, or reinforcing joints. After that, the system must be depressurized to remove moisture and other contaminants. The plumber then adds the right quantity of refrigerant back into the system to ensure the system is working optimally again.
Test Thermostat Accuracy
One method of checking the thermostat’s accuracy is to compare it to an accurate thermometer placed near it. Try changing the temperature by a few degrees and see if the system recognizes the change and reacts accordingly. Another way to test the thermostat is to use a hair dryer to warm the area around it and determine if it reacts or not. If there is no change, you’ll want to check the batteries and have the thermostat tested before replacing them.
Get Air Conditioning Service
Air conditioning service providers enhance the operation of the system to increase energy usage and decrease utility costs. Properly maintaining the AC makes sures that the system will last longer, making it more cost-effective in the long run. Contact a professional provider to help maintain the AC unit so you can keep the air inside your home clean and cool.
