An annual air conditioner tuneup is essential to keep your equipment working at its best, so your home stays cool and comfortable when the heat and humidity settle in for the summer. Scheduling a spring maintenance visit before you start up your system for the season brings some other advantages too.
- Maximized energy efficiency – Annual routine maintenance is important to keep your cooling system’s energy consumption in check. Scheduling service in the spring will let you reap the benefits of energy savings and lower utility bills throughout the coming cooling season.
- Longer equipment life – Regular preventive care can help extend the useful life span of any type of mechanical equipment, and it can add years to the life expectancy of an air conditioner. Conversely, a lack of routine maintenance can result in an expensive equipment replacement due to an early failure.
- Protection against mid-season breakdowns – The various system checks your HVAC technician performs during a routine maintenance visit allows him or her to spot issues early, before they grow into bigger problems. By having these issues taken care of before they escalate, you can avoid the inconvenience and extra expense of a major mid-summer repair.
- Optimized cooling capacity – Annual maintenance can preserve an air conditioner’s cooling capabilities and even restore lost capacity. If your system is running at full capacity, you’ll be more comfortable when the heat and humidity peaks.
- Increased peace of mind – If you schedule an?air conditioner tuneup now before the summer rush hits, you can relax knowing your equipment is ready to provide reliable service on the hottest days. Plus, you’ll all but eliminate the risk of sweltering without a source of cool, conditioned air because your HVAC contractor’s schedule is fully booked when you need service.
What to Expect from an A/C Tuneup
During a comprehensive air conditioner tuneup, your technician will perform a long list of vital tasks that keep your HVAC equipment operating smoothly and efficiently. The key areas covered should include:
- AC Refrigerant levels – If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, there’s a leak in the system that must be located and repaired before it’s recharged. Operating a cooling system with too little refrigerant can cause irreversible damage to the most expensive component, the condenser.
- Thermostat accuracy – Your technician may need to level and/or recalibrate it so that your home stays comfortable and you don’t waste energy.
- Voltage and amperage – Incorrect amperage and voltage can shorten the life of the condenser and compressor motors.
- Temperature differential – Checking the difference between the supply and return temperatures helps the technician determine whether your HVAC system is cooling your home efficiently and effectively.
- Wiring and electrical connections – The improper voltage that can result from loose connections and/or corroded wiring can affect the operation of vital system components or cause them to fail prematurely.
- Blower assembly – Cleaning the blower components and checking the condition of the belt can maintain the system’s energy efficiency and keep cool air flowing to the rooms of your home.
- Lubrication – A lack of lubrication on the system’s motors and moving parts causes drag and friction. Overcoming this resistance takes more energy, so utility bills will increase. Over time, the friction caused by insufficient lubrication can destroy the bearings and ruin a motor.
- Condenser and coils – The condenser and its coils should be inspected to ensure proper operation. Cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils is also essential to maximize the system’s energy efficiency and cooling capabilities.
- Safety and system controls – The system’s various controls including the transformers, relays, pressure controls and circuit boards must be checked. This ensures the reliable, safe operation of the equipment.
- Ductwork assessment – Leaks and obstructions in the ductwork can negatively affect proper air distribution and reduce comfort. The duct seal on the unit itself should also be inspected.
- Condensate drain – If the condensate drain is blocked, a water backup could cause excess humidity problems and damage your HVAC equipment and home.
- System start-up cycle – Testing the start-up capabilities ensures that your system starts, operates and shuts down as expected.
- Air filter – If the filter is dirty, airflow is reduced, impacting the HVAC system’s energy efficiency. Severely restricted airflow from a badly clogged filter could damage the system’s components or cause an equipment failure. In between professional tuneups, check the filter once a month, and change or replace it as needed.
For more information on the benefits of scheduling an air conditioner tuneup in the spring before the hot weather arrives, contact us today at Pioneer Comfort Systems.