Proper and Timely Maintenance Can Keep Issues in Air Conditioners Away

Do you have an air conditioner in your home and is it working properly? You need to know that there will be decrease in operating efficiency of the AC up to 5%. There are a lot of ways to increase the efficiency of your air conditioning unit. One such way is maintaining it properly and using it sensibly. This will help you to beat the heat, increase the life of the air conditioners and reduce the energy bills at the same time. You should not wait until you face any major problem in your air conditioner.

Air Conditioner

• It is a good practice to get your air conditioner inspected by a professional at the beginning of the summer season. Such inspection must be done at least once in a year. This will give you confidence whenever you turn the unit on.
• Improper maintenance will shorten its life of the unit and also result in premature failure of your equipment. Therefore, make sure that you clean the air filters regularly and replace these after every three months to reduce the workload on the furnace motor and use of more energy.
• Keep the surrounding of the outdoor condenser unit clean and free from dust and debris so that it does not obstruct the airflow of the condenser fan and functioning of the air conditioners.

Also, remove the winter cover when you turn it on for the first time to avoid bigger issues as the outdoor unit will not be able to release warm air and will get overheated and break down eventually. Reverse the direction of ceiling fans, close blinds and drapes to ensure proper cooling.

Working on The AC Unit

There are a few repair jobs and checks that can be done by you on air conditioners but for all others, you must call a professional. If you have to work on your AC unit make sure that you switch of the power first. Remove the access panel on the condensing unit to notice any signs of overheating, blackened or melted insulation, burned wires or any loose wires. Use an electrical test meter if you have to check the capacitors. Also check the contactor switch for excessive pitting.

Air Conditioning

• Examine the thermostat to make sure it is set at the right place. It is best to upgrade your mechanical type thermostat programmable thermostat so that it can automatically adjust the temperature when no one is at home. This will save energy as well as money both.
• Check the fan in the condenser unit to make sure it is in good condition and the fan blades are rotating smoothly by giving it a few turns by your hand. If you see any cracks or chips in any or all of the blades, replace these immediately. Also, make sure that the bearings of the fan motor are properly oiled.
• Condensate the drains by passing a stiff wire through it from time to time. This will clear the clogging in the drain channels of the unit. This will prevent the air conditioner from reducing humidity.

One significant thing to check is the window seals of the air conditioners. You must check it right at the start of the cooling season. The seal must make a contact with the metal case or the unit to provide proper insulation. Moisture may damage this seal and as a result, cool air will escape from the room. Also, protect the outdoor unit in the winter by covering it so that winter weather or debris does not damage it.

Hire A Professional

To ensure that your unit is running smoothly, always call knowledge and experience in repairing air conditioners. This will prevent further damage. The professional will check the amount of refrigerant, test it for leaks by a leak detector, capture and evacuate refrigerant from the system and not release it to the air illegally. They will also check seal duct leakage, measure airflow, check evaporator coil, oil motors, check belts and thermostat.