Spring showers will soon be gone and the warmth of summer will be in full swing along with your air conditioner. Before that dry Colorado heat hits, be sure to schedule your annual air conditioning maintenance services in Longmont so that you can be confident that you won’t get stuck with a hot house.
Is Annual AC Maintenance Really Necessary?
Most people will only service their air conditioner after it stops working, but in reality air conditioning units, just as any other machine, need maintenance in order to function efficiently and effectively. Over time, with use, and from exposure to outside elements, the components of your AC unit can get worn down and dirty, keeping it from working properly. With regular maintenance and annual inspections, you can save yourself from the cost of expensive repairs and extend the life of your air conditioner.
Here are several good reasons why you need a professional air conditioning tune-up before summer.
Clean It Out for a Fresh Start
It has probably been several months since you last used your air conditioner. During those winter months, it’s been exposed to weather, wind, and cold, allowing dust and debris to accumulate both inside and outside of the unit. A thorough cleaning, both in and around the unit, will help your AC to work more effectively and efficiently for a busy summer season. See this article from energy.gov to read more about the importance of maintaining a clean air conditioner.
During a typical annual tune-up appointment, a licensed HVAC technician will:
- Replace Filters: Air filters can quickly become dirty and clogged from dust, dirt, pet dander, and other airborne contaminants. By simply replacing old, dirty filters you can improve the energy efficiency of your AC unit by 5-15 percent.
- Clean Coils: Dirt, leaves, and grass can build up on the outer condenser coils, while dust collects on inner evaporator coils. Dirty coils can disrupt or even impede airflow, making it difficult for the equipment to properly transfer heat. This forces the unit to run longer and work harder to cool your house, which in turns uses more energy, costing you money on your utility bills.
- Check Condensate Drain Line: This can also become clogged and affect the unit’s ability to control humidity levels. With a big enough clog, water damage could even result.
- Clean Other Components Such As the Blower or Coil Fins
Lubricate Motor Parts
In order to reduce friction and improve efficiency, the central air fan motor may need to be lubricated. This will also help to keep the fan in good working condition and reduce noisiness from the motor.
Inspect the Thermostat
The technician will test your thermostat to make sure that it is functioning properly but also assess the settings you have set in place to ensure that it will keep your home comfortable while conserving energy when possible. The thermostat is responsible for signaling when to cycle on, so even the smallest issue, such as dead batteries, can often be to blame for an air conditioner that isn’t working properly.
Tighten Electrical Connections
Loose or faulty electrical connections could be the reason for poor function, but it could also create a dangerous safety risk. During routine maintenance service, these connections will be carefully inspected and tightened.
Check Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is a controlled chemical that is used to actively cool the air flowing through an AC unit as it passes through the coils. Refrigerant is actively regulated by the EPA and should only be handled by experienced professionals with the appropriate licensing. Low refrigerant levels are often the cause for poor cooling performance, but it can also be an indication of a leak, which must be fixed before more refrigerant can be added.
Take Care of Small Issues to Prevent Bigger Problems
By investing in routine maintenance, you can save yourself from costly AC repairs in the future. A thorough tune-up performed by a licensed and experienced technician will identify any small or potential problems and allow you to address those before they become worse or cause significant damage to your unit as a whole.
Extend the Life of Your Air Conditioner
By properly taking care of your air conditioner and remaining proactive with necessary repairs and yearly maintenance, you can help your unit run more efficiently, but you can also ensure that will last longer. Click here to learn more about how important regular service is for the life of your air conditioner.
Call Stone Heating & Air at (303) 564-0986 for Longmont AC maintenance that will have your air conditioner ready for the summer months ahead.