Spring is well under way in Dayton, and if you haven’t already scheduled your annual A/C maintenance, now’s the time to do it. Preventive maintenance on your air conditioner will benefit you in three major ways:
- Improve efficiency to lower your utility bills and carbon footprint.
- Extend the operating life of your system.
- Prevent midsummer breakdowns when your air conditioning is working extra hard to keep you comfortable.
A qualified HVAC technician will perform a comprehensive tune-up of your system that includes these important tasks:
- Clean the outdoor condensing unit.
- Check the compressor contacts.
- Check the voltage and amperage on the motor.
- Clean and adjust the thermostat to make sure it’s accurate.
- Adjust the blower to ensure proper temperature drop at the supply and return registers.
- Inspect the motor for wear and damage.
- Tighten the electrical connections.
- Clean the condensate drain to prevent mold growth.
- Check the level of refrigerant in your system and adjust it as necessary.
- Check for refrigerant leaks.
- Check the operating temperatures and pressures.
- Test the controls of your system to ensure proper cycling.
- Lubricate the moving parts to prevent friction, which can damage the system.
After your professional A/C maintenance call, there are several things you should do during the cooling season to maintain optimal performance of your air conditioner:
- Inspect your air filter every month and replace it when you can no longer see through it. A clean filter is essential for proper airflow and for preventing dust buildup inside your air conditioner, which can cause overheating and related damage.
- Remove plant growth from around your outdoor condensing unit and hose it down every month to remove dirt and grass clippings, which can inhibit airflow.
- Keep the area around your indoor unit clean to prevent dust from building up inside the system.
- Remove obstructions such as furniture and drapes from your supply and return registers to ensure optimum airflow.
For more expert advice about A/C maintenance, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc., serving the Dayton area with a high level of customer satisfaction.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about professional A/C maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock
