Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips 101

If you are looking for ways to extend the life of your air conditioning system then you can't go wrong with learning a few tips. Take some time to learn about the type of air conditioning system you have so you don't inadvertently mess up your system.

Determine if your home has a newer or older unit. Newer units are often welded in place. If you have an older model one, then chances are your unit is connected with brackets and other fittings, which can become loose throughout the years and cause your system to become unstable and to leak. Check the Freon levels. Most units do not need to be refilled unless there is a leak somewhere.

Make sure that there isn't anything blocking or covering your unit. When your condenser is covered, the unit maintains a good airflow, which is crucial to cooling off your home. Even when your ac is not in use, it is a good idea to turn it on for a few minutes every now and then. This is so you can make sure that it is working before you actually need it; if it is not, you can get it serviced right away. If you don't test your system until it gets very hot and you find that it is not working right, you will find yourself at a great inconvenience because you may need to have an HVAC company come out during the busy season. Depending on their workload, they may not be able to get to you right away.

If your air conditioning system has a leak, you need to get it taken care of right away. Leaks can cause your ac to be less effective at cooling your home off, they can cause the evaporator components to become frozen and cause your system to stop working at all. Freon can be toxic once it is released into the environment, which is why if your system leaks, the source of the leak needs to be found, cleaned up and fixed.

Freon helps to cool the heat compressor in your air conditioning system. The longer your system runs with low levels of Freon, the more likely your unit will fail when you need it most. Once the compressor overheats, it will need to be replaced or you may have to invest in another system; both of which can be very expensive.

It is a good idea to have an HVAC company come and service your unit at least once or twice a year. Keep in mind that maintenance checks will not guarantee that there isn't going to be a problem in the future, maintenance checks do ensure that any problems that are present are discovered and taken care of to prevent you from having to deal with major repairs later on.

A typical service call consists of checking Freon levels to ensure that there aren't any leaks that would compromise the operation of your air conditioning system. All functions of the unit will be checked to make sure that the system is functioning properly. All condenser and evaporator coils will be cleaned and the motor will be oiled as well. Filters will be changed your thermostat will need to be calibrated to ensure that the unit works properly and efficiently.