Spring's coming, and if your air conditioner has been sitting idle for the whole winter it might need some convincing before it starts working again. Many homeowners think it's ok to simply switch their AC on when it gets hot out and just pray for the best – unfortunately, these are also the ones that have to foot the bill for air conditioner repairs when it starts to get really hot out. Avoid those midsummer emergencies by scheduling air conditioner maintenance with Rightway Heating & Cooling  in early spring before the temperatures start to rise!

Air Conditioner Maintenance Checklist

Before you fire up your air conditioner for the first time this summer, have a professional HVAC contractor come out and perform some basic air conditioner maintenance steps. A solid air conditioner maintenance program will include:

  • Cleaning the condenser and evaporator coil – the condenser and evaporator really are the bread and butter of the air conditioner. The condenser houses the refrigerant lines and surrounds the fins that line the outdoor cabinet of your air conditioner, and the evaporator coil removes  heat from the outdoor air, making sure the air that blows into your home  is cool and comfortable. Needless to say, dirt or debris on either of  these parts can significantly reduce your air conditioner efficiency and  cause it to be more prone to breaking down.
  • Checking the refrigerant level – not enough refrigerant in your  air conditioner will require your system to work extra hard to provide cooling, reducing the efficiency (and, ultimately, the lifespan) of your  unit. Too much refrigerant could cause your coils to freeze, leading to  leaks and blockages.
  • Inspecting the drain pans and  condensate drains – in addition to cooling, most air conditioners dehumidify your home. Needless to say, this results in a great deal of moisture that collects in drains and drip pans located in your unit.  Dirty or  blocked drain pans can cause moisture can become trapped, either in your air conditioner or in your house. This can then lead to mold problems,      which can be seriously damaging.
  • Checking the fan blades and blower – the fan pulls in outdoor air; the blower moves the air through your home. Both the fan and the blower may need to be adjusted during air conditioning maintenance so that they can provide maximum airflow.
  • Check the compressor and the  refrigerant tubing
  • Lubrication of all moving parts  – most older air conditioners have located ports on all of their moving parts that allow for easy access to apply lubrication. Improperly lubricated parts can seize up during operation, causing them to run  inefficiently and potentially destroying them.
  • Inspection of all electrical components
  • Testing the air conditioner –turning the AC unit off and seeing  how it runs is a very important part of the air conditioner maintenance process. This will allow the HVAC contractor to see if there are any  strange noises that need to be addressed.

Monthly Air Conditioner Maintenance Steps

There's much more to air conditioner maintenance than just an annual inspection! There are a few air conditioner maintenance steps you can do between inspections to make sure your air conditioner runs smoothly at all times:

  • Clean or replace dirty air filters  monthly – dirty air  filters are the number one cause of slow air flow for most air conditioners. They can even cause your coils to freeze! Change your air filters monthly to make sure your airflow is as smooth as possible at all      times.
  • Don't put anything near your  compressor – the air conditioner compressor draws air in from around it, and needs easy access      to the air to do this. Trim back any trees or shrubs around your compressor, making sure you have at least two feet of space around all sides.

When should you schedule air conditioner maintenance?

If you're wondering when you should get air conditioner maintenance, DON'T WAIT – do it now, in early spring before the summer heat really starts to get bad. If you wait until the hottest day of the summer, you'll be at the bottom of the local HVAC contractor's list when a tidal wave of other people in the area scramble for air conditioner service. Remember – air conditioner maintenance is always better (and usually cheaper!) than air conditioner repair or replacement!

If you need air conditioning maintenance in Central Ohio call Rightway Heating & Cooling today!