Have you ever asked yourself, “do air conditioning units need maintenance?” The short answer is yes! Maintaining your air conditioner will prevent any unnecessary repairs, keep it working efficiently, preserve your warranty, and extend the life of your AC unit.
The best time to perform preventative maintenance with a licensed and reputable HVAC contractor is in the spring before summer heat waves hit. However, you can schedule AC maintenance with Bill Howe any time of the year.
Summer is the busiest time of year for air conditioning specialists, so ensuring your system is working in prime condition before it gets hot is ideal. There are also many ways homeowners can keep their systems in good condition year-round. We have compiled an AC maintenance checklist to help ensure that your air conditioner keeps doing what it does best—providing optimal comfort in your home or business!
Homeowner Tips on Keeping the Air Conditioning and Home Energy Efficient Year-Round
Air conditioning maintenance is essential and so is keeping your home clean. In some homes, indoor air pollution is almost five times as bad as the pollution right outside your home. Fortunately, there are many ways for you to keep your home in perfect condition for effective air conditioning operation, and to combat air pollution:
- Keep your home dust-free. Dirt, debris, dust, and allergens can accumulate and eventually find their way into the home’s air circulation. It can settle on components of the air conditioner, block filters, and cause poor indoor air quality.
- Clear clutter. If you remove excess clutter in the home, there will be fewer surfaces that can accumulate dust and enter into the air conditioning system or your home’s air circulation.
- Check for leaks
- Check for foul odors when the system first starts
- Listen for strange noises
- Add shade awnings or trees near windows
- Draw blinds or drapes to block the sunlight
- Set your ceiling fans to summer settings
- Avoid using your stove during the day
- Add insulation to ensure cool air does not escape
- Make sure areas around the AC and vents are clear of obstruction
- Set the thermostat to 78 degrees
With a proper understanding of how to maintain a home air conditioner and following a few easy cleaning tips, homeowners can be summer-ready before heat hits.
Additional items best handled by professionals to prepare for summer:
Schedule Preventative Maintenance: With air conditioning usage comes eventual wear and tear, so it’s important to have a professional tune-up each year. Schedule maintenance in the spring for the AC and in the fall for your furnace.
While you can take a DIY approach, hiring a professional for AC unit maintenance is a better move. Bill Howe technicians have years of experience, know what to look for, and are familiar with many air conditioner makes and models. Additionally, many manufacturers require professional maintenance to keep the equipment warranty in tact.
Have Air Ducts Cleaned: An air duct cleaning every 5 to 7 years can help keep excess dirt, dust, and allergens from circulating through the home and causing dirty air conditioner filters. Professional duct cleaning ensures clean air and keeps the air conditioning system in great condition. Even your filters will last longer.
What Does AC Maintenance Include?
We recommend keeping a copy of this handy AC maintenance checklist on hand when the certified technician arrives. Our air conditioning maintenance checklist includes must-have tasks and a brief explanation of their importance. So, make sure to hire a licensed specialist and ensure they cover the complete air conditioning maintenance checklist:
- Check thermostat settings: Checking the settings on the thermostat ensures the heating and cooling system is working properly at home and away from home.
- Tighten electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors: This essential AC maintenance to-do ensures that there are no faulty electrical connections. When an HVAC unit has faulty electrical connections, it can be unsafe to operate. Faulty connections can have a negative effect on the life of significant AC components.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction can cause issues with moving parts. When essential AC parts work harder, it increases electrical consumption, which can lead to a rise in your utility bill and premature replacement.
- Check and inspect the condensate drain: When the condensate drain is clogged, it can cause water damage inside your home. A plugged condensate drain can also affect humidity levels in your home,
- Check safety controls: Ensuring your HVAC system is safe to use is always a top priority for Bill Howe technicians. We will check the starting cycle of the HVAC unit to ensure that it starts, operates, and shuts off correctly.
- Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils: When the AC’s condenser coils are dirty, it causes the unit to work harder, reducing its ability to properly cool your home. An HVAC system that doesn’t run efficiently can increase energy costs and reduce the lifespan of the unit, too.
Check your central air conditioner refrigerant level: It’s essential that your AC refrigerant level is correct. Too much or too little can lead to inefficient AC operation. - Clean and adjust blower components: Proper airflow ensures your home’s comfort level is just right. A weak airflow can reduce your AC system’s efficiency by up to 15 percent.
- Change or clean air filter: Changing the filter of your air conditioner is crucial to efficient cooling and enhancing the system’s overall performance. We recommend investing in a high-efficiency filter that will not cause high static pressure. Dirty air filters lead to poor air conditioning operation, blocked airflow, and poor air quality, and can lead to damaged A/C systems. If your system uses a reusable filter, make sure to clean it at least every 4 to 6 months due to the San Diego climate, more often if you live near busy roads, have pets, or experience allergies.
- Inspect Ductwork: The ductwork in your home ensures that air is distributed throughout your home, from room to room, ensuring comfort year-round. Gaps or leaks in the ductwork mean that air isn’t being distributed correctly, which can raise energy costs and affect indoor comfort levels.
- Testing the AC: Once our AC maintenance expert has completed and checked off all the boxes on the list, it’s time to test the air conditioner. Our technician will turn it on and let it run for a while to ensure the air is blowing out correctly. The technician will also investigate any unusual sounds, which may mean there is an issue with the unit.
Always ensure only licensed specialists make repairs or work on your air conditioning system. Working on an air conditioner requires training, including knowing how to work with electrical systems and refrigerants. Bill Howe takes pride in hiring the best licensed HVAC specialists in San Diego!
How Long Does Air Conditioning Maintenance Take?
We understand that time is precious, so it’s no surprise one of the most common questions we get is, “How long does AC maintenance take?” Typically, air conditioning maintenance can take between one and two hours. However, factors such as the size of your home and type of AC can determine how much time we spend ensuring your HVAC is in top shape.
Unfortunately, HVAC systems don’t last forever. But the great thing about scheduling annual air conditioning maintenance is that it ensures that your AC unit is working at its optimum efficiency. However, when it’s time to replace your HVAC system, we want you to know that Bill Howe is here to help. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can assist you in finding the right HVAC system best suited for your needs. There are many HVAC system options, including smart HVAC systems for homeowners who are looking at integrating smart HVAC with home automation.
Schedule Air Conditioning Service Today
Bill Howe has been the number one plumber and HVAC provider in San Diego for decades. We stand by our reputation for delivering legendary services you can count on. From AC maintenance to drain cleaning, when it comes to keeping your home or business comfortable, we know Howe!
To learn more about maintaining your air conditioner or to schedule your annual spring air conditioner maintenance service, call the experts at Bill Howe Heating & Air 1-800 BILL HOWE (245-5469), visit us on Live Chat, or book your service online today!
