Most manufacturers require annual maintenance to maintain warranty coverage on the parts that make your air conditioning system work. This can save you thousands of dollars in repair bills down the road if something goes wrong.
Experts of All Temp Air Conditioning & Refrigeration will check the air filter, and clean various components like the condenser, evaporator coil, and drain line. They will also rake leaves and prune bushes away from the unit, allowing for two feet of clearance.
Check the Air Filter
Air filters are a crucial part of any home’s HVAC system, serving as a safety net to catch dust, debris, and other contaminants. They’re also one of the most important components when it comes to AC maintenance, as they can affect indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and the longevity of your system.
When an air filter gets dirty, it can restrict airflow, which can cause several problems. It can lead to indoor air quality issues, such as poor circulation and stuffy rooms, and it may strain your system to the point that it needs repair or replacement sooner than it should.
The air filter should be replaced or cleaned at least once per month, ideally twice during periods of high usage. The first step in replacing a filter is to locate it. This can vary based on the type of system you have. For example, it might be located in the return air duct or an air handler cabinet. It’s usually a good idea to save the old filter’s packaging, as it will let you know exactly what kind of filter you have and whether or not it can be cleaned.
Before removing the filter, make sure that all power to the system is turned off. This will ensure that you don’t touch live wires or accidentally get sucked into the unit. It’s also a good idea to have a large garbage bag nearby to place the dirty filter in immediately after removal. This prevents all that trapped dirt from reentering your home while the new filter is in place.
Once the filter is removed, it’s time to clean or replace it. Before cleaning, make sure that you have the right size filter in hand — this will help avoid making things worse by putting too much stress on your system. It’s also a good idea for homeowners to have washable-type filters on hand so that they can clean them regularly and extend the life of their equipment. If you don’t have washable filters, your local hardware store should have a wide selection to choose from.
Clean The Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is the part of your air conditioning that absorbs and releases the refrigerant into your home. This part is very important for the efficiency of your system, and keeping it clean will help save you money in energy costs. The evaporator coil can become dirty very quickly, so it is crucial to keep up with cleaning it regularly.
Before cleaning the coils, make sure to turn off your air conditioner and let it cool down. You will also want to remove any access panels or covers and inspect the evaporator coil for dirt, mold growth, or any other signs of damage.
You can use a can of compressed air to blow off the coils, but be careful not to damage the aluminum fins. If there is a large buildup of dirt, you may need to use a brush or commercial coil cleaner to remove it.
If you choose to use a brush, be gentle. The fins are very delicate, and a hard brush could scratch them. For more stubborn buildup, you can use a special fin brush or spray a commercial coil cleaner on the coils. Just follow the directions on the label. Once you have removed the loose dirt, use clean water to rinse the coils. You can also pour a capful of bleach down the drain line to keep it free of debris and mold.
A dirty evaporator coil can lead to many different problems. It can reduce cooling capacity and efficiency, and it can also affect humidity control. It will also force the other parts of your air conditioning to work harder, which can lead to system failures and increased operating pressures. In addition, a dirty evaporator coil can create an environment for bacteria to grow and cause mold and mildew inside your home. Keeping up with coil cleaning and changing the air filter will prevent these issues. A professional air conditioning service can do these things for you as a part of a normal maintenance visit. They can also recommend other things you should do to keep your system running at peak performance.
Clean The Drain Line
Keeping the air conditioning drain line clear of gunk is an important part of any AC maintenance routine. If the drain line becomes clogged, it will cause water to back up into your condensate pan and could lead to serious problems with your entire system. Clogged drain lines can also create a damp smell in your home, which can be quite unpleasant.
You can avoid these problems by adding drain line cleaning to your yearly air conditioning maintenance schedule. In most cases, this is a simple DIY task that you can do with a few common household products. First, you’ll want to make sure that your AC system is turned off and in the “off” position. Next, locate the drain line and identify its access point. It’s usually a T-shaped vent tee with a cap, and you can remove this to gain access to the line’s opening.
Once you’ve removed the cap, look for any visible signs of a blockage. The most obvious sign is standing water. This may be due to a small volume of normal condensation or it might indicate a clogged drain line that’s not allowing any moisture to escape.
If you see any signs of a clog, you can use a wet vac to suck up the buildup and flush out the line. However, this method won’t work for deeper or more stubborn clogs, so if you encounter these, consider calling in a professional to address the problem.
A more effective way to clean your AC drain line is by using vinegar. This will kill any bacteria and fungus growing in the line and prevent further clogs. You can use a mixture of distilled vinegar and bleach or hydrogen peroxide to do this. Pour about a cup of this solution down the drain line and let it sit for a few hours before you flush it with water.
This is a simple, inexpensive, and effective way to prevent serious AC issues down the road. Taking this task seriously will keep your air conditioner working well and help you avoid expensive repairs.
Inspect The Ductwork
The ductwork is a maze inside the walls and ceilings of your home that delivers heated or cooled air to each room. Leaks in the ductwork allow conditioned air to escape into unheated or uncooled areas of your home and waste energy. A professional duct inspection is an important part of air conditioning maintenance. The service can help you reduce your utility bills and improve the quality of your home’s indoor air.
A professional duct inspection will involve an assessment of the entire duct system. The inspector will evaluate the condition of the insulation, look for moisture or signs of biological growth, and check all of the joints. In addition, the contractor will look for gaps and holes that let conditioned air escape. Leaks are especially common around the seams where two pieces of ductwork meet and around vent registers. These leaks are particularly noticeable when the air is blowing at full strength because they make more noise than other parts of the duct system.
If you want to do a visual inspection, you can turn up the air conditioner blower to its highest setting and open the vents in each room. Then, move a flashlight along the ductwork. You should be able to see any obvious holes, gaps, or tears. It’s helpful to have someone else help you check the attic or basement, where much of the ductwork is located. Having another person help you will also make it easier to find leaks in corners and other hard-to-reach places.
After locating a leak, you can use aluminum foil tape or mastic sealant to seal the area. Clean the area before applying the tape or sealant, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application. It’s a good idea to apply more than one layer of the sealant and to apply it over the entire surface of the hole or crack.
If you’re having trouble finding leaking areas of the ductwork, consider hiring an HVAC professional to run a pressurized test on your ducts. The technician will use specialized equipment to run a pressure test that will reveal any leaks. The technician can then recommend a duct sealing service to fix those problem areas.
