Regular A/C maintenance is a must if you expect your system to run reliably and efficiently in Dayton’s hot, muggy summers. Knowing what your technician should check during routine maintenance helps you make sure nothing is overlooked.
Inspecting for Damage
In most standard inspections, the technician’s first job is to check for components in need of repair or replacement. Loose or corroded wires and connections reduce your system’s efficiency, stress components and pose a fire hazard, so your technician will tighten or replace wiring and connections as necessary.
An incorrect refrigerant charge impairs your system’s efficiency. Your technician will check the amount of refrigerant in your system and remove any excess or add more as needed. If the refrigerant charge is low, the technician should also inspect for leaks.
The ductwork is easy to overlook, but it’s important your technician check the ducts for leaks. Leaks can waste 30 percent or more of the conditioned air in your ducts, but sealing the duct joints and air register connections reduces this.
Most A/C tune-ups involve cleaning the motor, but see that your technician also checks yours for a worn fan belt and, in older motors, lack of lubrication. When necessary, the fan belt should be replaced and the motor lubricated. Modern sealed motors don’t require additional lubrication.
Testing for Correct Operation
Regular A/C maintenance also involves testing the operation of your components and the system as a whole. Your technician will measure airflow over the evaporator coil. Sufficient airflow is necessary for efficient cooling and to prevent the coil from freezing.
The system’s controls should also be tested. A malfunctioning thermostat can cause your A/C to run too little or too much, making you less comfortable and possibly wasting energy. Malfunctioning safety controls create a potential fire hazard. Finally, your technician will run the A/C through start-up and shut-down to make sure everything works smoothly.
At the end of the routine maintenance, your technician should provide you with a written report detailing the work done.
If you’re due for regular A/C maintenance contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services in the Dayton area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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