Air Conditioning Units - Preventive Maintenance in 3 Steps

Regular maintenance is important for the life of your air conditioning units. Preventive maintenance of units is far easier than correcting problems down the road. As, it is said, prevention is better than cure. On an average, normal life of a residential air conditioning system is around eleven to fourteen years. If maintained properly, these systems can run even more without any need to repair.

If your residential air conditioning system both cools and heats your home, you must maintain it in fall and the spring season each year. If it is only for cooling purpose you must get it checked at least once a year before the season requiring cooling begins.

For your air conditioning units, preventive maintenance can be done in just 3 simple steps to save you from sudden annoying breakdowns or improper functionality. The following 3 steps can also be referred as a checklist for carrying out the maintenance work systematically and thoroughly. I suggest using a trusted HVAC contractor to follow through with the 3 steps:

Step #1: Check the outdoor units

With the help of a technician, you can inspect the complete system for an adequate level of the refrigerant, cleaning the debris from the inside cabinet, clear the drain openings, clean the coil and check the fan blades and the motor for visible sign of wear and tear. You must also check the control box, other related accessories including wire networks and connections. It is advisable to ensure all the electrical units are functioning properly and safely. You should also check the compressor and the attached tubes for any signs of damage.

Step #2: Inspect the indoor units

Clean the blower wheels and motor, and provide lubrication to the motor if necessary. If any faulty functioning is observed, replace that part immediately. You must inspect the combustion blower for debris and clean it. Checking gas leaks from furnaces is also important to ensure a proper functioning air conditioning unit. If your system also has heating facility, you should also check the ignition system and other safety elements. You should inspect if the flue system is properly attached to the furnace, look for sign of corrosion and for any dislocated element. Then you clean the air filters and inspect the wiring connections. An overall inspection for the system is also important to find out if there is any leakage in the airflow system.

Step #3: Inspect the system while it is operating

When you switch the system on, look for its starting characteristics and notice if there is any abnormality. You can get a hint from the noise it creates when switched on. You must also look for any unusual odor that comes with switching on the system. You can then measure the temperature and adjust the airflow according to the level desired. You must check the vents or openings in your home for proper airflow. Another important inspection you should make is about the energy load it takes to perform.

With air conditioning units, preventive maintenance is vital to saving yourself from breakdowns at unexpected times, often when you need your system to be operating the most.