Air conditioning maintenance and upkeep are vital for consistent and continuous comfort in your home in a commercial building. Routinely maintaining the AC system prolongs the system’s life and keeps utility and repair bills low. But what does AC maintenance include? Read on to find out.
1. General AC Operation Assessment
The first thing that a technician will check is whether your system is powering up, running, and shutting off correctly. This ensures a safe operation and a smooth running of your AC unit. If there is an issue in the unit’s general operation, the technician will diagnose the system to find the problem’s source and fix it before moving on to the AC maintenance routine.
2. Outdoor Unit Inspection
Debris and dirt collect in the outdoor unit, which clog the system and can be a potential hazard. You should remove the mass from the outdoor unit of the AC and the area around the outdoor unit. This step is especially important if you live in a dusty area.
3. Fan Assessment
Next, your technician will check the motor and blades on the fan to ensure that they are not damaged. These parts may need some tinkering or replacement in case damage is found during the assessment.
4. Air Filter Replacement
Typically, Air filters are recommended to be replaced within a month to six months, depending on the AC and the area’s usage. Air filters maintain airflow and indoor air quality. If the air filter is clogged and not replaced in time, the air quality indoors will be affected, and dust may enter through the AC unit. Although it is easy to replace an air filter yourself, a professional technician can guide you regarding the best quality filter and the timing and frequency of filter replacement.
5. Coil Cleaning
You should clean the coils in the evaporator and condenser routinely for efficient operation of the AC unit. Cleaning the coil also increases the lifespan of the system.
6. Refrigerant Check
Refrigerant level should not be too much or too little because it can be wasteful. Your technician will make sure that there is an optimum amount of refrigerant to help preserve the efficiency of the operation.
7. Condensate Drain Examination
There may be clogs or obstructions in the condensate drain. The technician will clean your AC’s condensate line so that it can properly drain liquid condensate. If the drain line gets clogged, this can lead to a series of moisture problems.
Condensate drains may also accumulate bacteria or mold due to constant moisture. If not cleaned out, this can be a health hazard. The technician will treat the drainpipe with anti-algae and flush it out so that your pipe can be good as new. However a cracked drainpipe may also need repair or replacement to prevent any leakage.
8. Inspection of Electrical Connections
Safe operation is necessary to prevent any electrical fires or shocks. Therefore the technician will inspect the electrical connections and tighten them to ensure safe operation. Proper electrical connections improve the cooling system’s lifespan. In addition, sometimes the contacts are burned or pitted and may need replacement. Or there may be exposed wiring, which should be addressed immediately for safety reasons. After that the technician will also check and test capacitors for their functionality.
9. Thermostat Setting Assessment
Calibration of the thermostat will ensure that it is functioning correctly. For instance your thermostat should be installed away from all sources of heat.
Lubrication
Lastly, parts of an AC unit need lubrication to reduce resistance, save energy and add to the prolongation of your AC unit. Friction may damage some components and lead to a breakdown requiring extensive repairs and replacements. Click here for more about questions to ask an AC Contractor before hiring them.
