While there are some maintenance tasks you likely can perform on your own (like filter changes), a trained technician will provide you the type of support required to ensure your AC remains in peak performance form for many years. Your AC technician will:
- Check your refrigerant levels
- Test for any leaks
- Check for duct leakage and fix these issues
- Inspect electric terminals
- Check belts for wear and tear
- Assess the accuracy of your thermostat
- And much more
No matter how new, state-of-the-art, and advanced your air conditioning system is, it still requires regular maintenance and inspection. That’s because an AC is made up of many parts, including:
- Filters
- Coils
- Fins
These parts must be in top working order for your AC to work optimally for many years. If you neglect the required maintenance, what you’ll soon discover is a steady decline in performance, in direct correlation to an increase in energy costs. In other words, you’ll be paying more for a whole lot less cold air.
That doesn’t seem to make any sense, which is why AC maintenance must be a regular investment to factor in.
Filter Maintenance
The most straightforward and simple maintenance task you can perform on your AC to ensure longevity and performance is to replace and clean its filters. Old filters become blocked, and slow down the normal air flow required to create conditioned air. In fact, what may occur is air might bypass the filter and carry dirt into the evaporator coil, causing even more damage to your AC.
Simply replacing your old filter for a new one could reduce your AC’s energy consumption by up to 15%. Factors to consider in the frequency of filter replacement include:
- How often the AC runs
- If you have pets
- If your home is subjected to dusty conditions
Coil Maintenance
Your AC’s evaporator coil and condenser coil naturally collect dirt over time (a cleaner filter will slow this process down). Dirt will reduce your coils’ ability to absorb heat. You should have your coils checked (and cleaned) yearly.
One way to minimize the amount of debris that finds its way to your coils (for outdoor condenser coils) is to minimize the dirt and debris near the unit. That includes your dryer vents, leaves, lawn mower and more.
Fins Maintenance
Your aluminum fins found on evaporator and condenser coils can easily bend and block air flow. One remedy for this is through the use of a “fin comb.”
Other Types of AC Maintenance
- Condensate drains: Clogged drain channels keep your AC from minimizing humidity, which can add excessive moisture to your room and discoloration to your walls or carpet.
- Window seals: If your AC is a room AC, you want to make sure your seals between AC and window frame are secure . Moisture over time will damage this seal, which will allow your coveted cool air to escape.
- Winter preparation: Your AC should be covered or removed prior to winter. This will protect your unit from harmful debris and cold weather.
In order to prevent costly repairs and replacement, consider regular AC maintenance. Contact Comfort First to learn more about our AC and heating services.
