The Ultimate Guide to Air Conditioning Maintenance
Those of us who live in the warm, dry climate of the Tri-Cities rely heavily on our air conditioning systems to keep our homes cool and comfortable. For that to happen, your A/C system requires routine maintenance to function efficiently.
As with other household appliances, it is common for your air conditioning unit to experience wear and tear from frequent use and to eventually develop mechanical problems during its lifetime.
Maintaining your HVAC system and making sure it operates smoothly requires proper attention to its maintenance and service needs. Consider the fact that performing routine maintenance on your A/C unit will save you money and frustration from unforeseen mechanical failures.
Tips on A/C Unit Maintenance & Service
How Your Air Conditioner Works
Central air conditioning units function in the same way that your refrigerator does, but on a bigger scale. In essence, your air conditioner quickly converts gas to liquid and back again, using chemicals that transfer the heat in the air from inside your home to the outside.
Why Your A/C Unit Needs Maintenance
Just like your car needs routine maintenance in order to run correctly, your air conditioning system also requires proper care. By being pro-active in how your take care of your A/C unit, you could save a significant amount of money on repair and replacement expenses. Even changing the air filter in your A/C system can extend the efficiency, as well as improve your indoor air quality.
How to Turn Off Your A/C Power
It’s very important to turn off the power to your air conditioning unit whenever you plan to repair or replace it. Shutting off your air conditioner’s power protects your equipment and the entire A/C unit, and it also safeguards you from receiving an electrical shock. Verify that you successfully turned off your HVAC system by attempting to turn heating and cooling on from your thermostat.
Cleaning Your Outdoor A/C Condenser Unit
You can significantly increase the efficiency of your air conditioning system by cleaning the condenser unit on an annual basis. While this is a straightforward DIY cleaning project, you can also hire one of our expert field technicians at Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning to clean your unit. It is especially important to clean the condenser if there are dandelions growing around your unit or an abundance of leaves or grass clippings.
How to Level Your Outdoor A/C Condenser Unit
If your air conditioning unit is not correctly leveled, it could fail to function properly and that might result in refrigerant leaks. We suggest using a level to check your unit annually, if not more often, as the earth under your A/C unit is constantly shifting and settling.
Cleaning Your Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils in your air conditioning system are critical to cooling your indoor air. They not only cool the air, they also extract the moisture in the air that causes uncomfortable levels of humidity. Being that these coils are usually moist from condensation, they can easily gather dust and dirt. Dirty coils get in the way of your central A/C unit functioning efficiently. Keep in mind that coils are normally easy to clean.
A Clogged Condensate Drain Line
In order to prevent excess moisture on your coils from stagnating in your A/C system, the condensate drain line removes that moisture from the unit. Because this drain line is nearly always moist, it is a breeding ground for mold and mildew, which can clog the drain line. This is of the most common reasons you need to call an HVAC professional from Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning to fix your air conditioner.
Changing Your Blower Filter
Your air filter in your air conditioning system can collect a lot of dust over time. That is why it is necessary to change the air filters frequently. Fortunately, cleaning your air filter is an easy chore that helps your A/C unit run efficiently while also improving your indoor air quality.
Why Use Programmable Thermostats to Adjust Home Temperature?
When installed correctly and configured properly, a programmable thermostat will enable you to maintain comfortable living spaces and adjust your home temperature automatically throughout the day. This will save you money and help cool your home or office without having to hover over an older dial model.
When You Should Call a Professional
Keeping your A/C unit operating smoothly and efficiently requires proper and regular maintenance and service. And while some mechanical difficulties can be fixed in a DIY fashion, some problems will require that you call your friendly, helpful field technician at Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning. We have the knowledge and experience to accurately diagnose a problem quickly and get your air conditioning system up and running safely.
Look to Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning for Your HVAC Repairs & Replacements
If you need to ensure your A/C system makes it through this long, hot summer, call one of our award-winning field technicians who will immediately diagnose what is wrong with your HVAC system and perform the necessary repairs. Our experienced team of highly trained technicians will work with you and exceed your expectations during HVAC repairs and replacements.
Learn more by contacting Apollo Heating and Air Conditioning! Call us at (509) 396-COLD (2653).
