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Air Conditioner Maintenance
Warmer weather means you'll use your air conditioning a lot more. As with most things mechanical, if
you take good care of your air conditioner, it will take better care of you. With good maintenance, your air conditioner should
last about 15 years. Below are some air conditioning maintenance tasks and checks that you can do yourself, as well as some
things that a professional should do when performing a maintenance check on your system.
Your home’s heating
and cooling systems should give you many years of service with proper maintenance. Preventive maintenance will lower your
energy costs, prevent costly repairs and prolong the life of your systems. Don't wait for summer's full heat to check
your system. If you need service during the summer months, you will have to wait a lot longer for the repairs to be addressed.
Regular maintenance will ensure that your system is ready to heat and cool your home when needed.
Most heating
and cooling systems should be serviced once a year by a professional heating or cooling contractor. The professional contractor
has the tools, instruments and training necessary to maintain your system for a dependable, trouble-free operation. The contractor
should inspect your systems, including the thermostat, the blower motor and fans,and the ducting, as well as the A/C condenser
and evaporator units. Thie service should include checking refrigerant levels, any furnace gas connections and/or heat
exchangers, completing any necessary maintenance tasks such as checking all electrical components and controls, oiling motors
and calibrating thermostats and adjusting the entire system for optimal performance.
Having said all that,
there are some things that you can do yourself:
1. Level Unit: Make sure the unit is level. The compressor piston/cylinder
is usually lubricated from the bottom up. A tilted oil reservoir can cause uneven lubrication requiring more power
and resulting in faster wear.
2.
Sufficient Clearance: Both the inside (evaporator) and outside (condenser) units should have at least 30
inches of access clearance. Not only does this allow proper servicing of the unit, but more importantly it allows the air
drawn in to be cooled and circulated and it allows proper dissipation of the heat from the evaporator. Remove obstructions
such as debris and shrubbery from the outside unit and items such as boxes, suitcases, etc. from the attic unit.
3. Filters: Change or
clean the system filters once a month. This is especially important during the summer when dust and allergens circulate. Dirty
filters restrict air flow, increase power demands, reduce efficiency and can even cause the evaporator to ice up.
4. Registers: Reduce
dust in your home by vacuuming the system registers and the cold air return as part of your regular cleaning.
5.
Hose Connections: Check all connections for leaks and make sure the condensate tube is draining freely.
6. Ducts: Examine
exposed supply ducts for gaps or leaks which allow conditioned air to escape. Look for gaps and run your hand along exposed
supply ducts with the blower running to feel for escaping air. Seal any leaks with metal tape.
7. Noises:
Listen to your condenser, evaporator and furnace when they are running. If you hear unusual noises, follow the appliance manual’s
directions or consult with your professional heating/cooling contractor.
8. Obstructions: Remove
any objects or debris that may have fallen through the registers. Remove any drapes, furniture or other objects blocking registers,
interrupting airflow and lowering your system’s efficiency.
Here are some suggestions if you are
considering installing central air conditioning:
* Use a local or a national association of air conditioning
contractors such as Air Conditioning Contractors of America (http://www.acca.org/) to find a licensed, certified professional contractor near
you.
* The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association (http://www.phccweb.org) suggests you do the following when you’ve narrowed
down the number of potential contractors to make the final choice:
1. Ask for references. Ask
the contractor for names of customers in the area. Contact those people and ask their opinion of the contractor's work.
2. Check reputation. Call the local Better Business Bureau. Have any complaints been filed against
the contractor?
3. Inquire about stability. How long has the contractor been in business? Ask
about the firm's experience and the expertise of its staff.
4. Check local licenses. Many
states and towns require that plumbing, heating and cooling contractors be licensed to ensure that all health, safety and
building codes are followed. If that's the case where you live, ask the contractor for his or her license number, or call
the Building Inspection and Licensing Department at City Hall. Confirm insurance credentials. Ask to see proof that the contractor
has both liability and worker's compensation insurance. If the contractor doesn't, you could be liable for any accidents
on your property, including injury to the technician.
5. Check into building permits. Most localities
require a building permit for large home improvement projects. Contact your local licensing or permit department to see if
you need one for your project. Make this call before the work begins.
6. Ask for an estimate.
To get an idea of the overall cost, ask for an estimate. Remember, however, that choosing a contractor should be based on
more than just the lowest estimate. Quality of work counts too.
Peter
Ottowitz,
Advance Look Home Inspection & Environmental Testing
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