What To Expect With A Seasonal AC Maintenance Inspection

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Regular AC maintenance will save you money and increase the longevity of your HVAC units. You must regularly maintain your air conditioner coils, filters, and fins for your unit to function more effectively. On the other hand, overlooking routine maintenance inspection can decrease performance and increase utility expenses, which is not what you want. Here is what to expect from a seasonal AC unit maintenance inspection.

Preparing For The Winter

Home air conditioners deliver comfort and convenience throughout the year. Inspecting them for maintenance is essential, especially in winter. This is because you risk exposing your household to diseases since bacteria and viruses may thrive in poorly maintained air conditioning units. Covering your central AC’s outdoor unit will keep it safe in harsh winter conditions and debris.

How To Maintain Your AC in Winter:

Install a smart thermostat

A thermostat regulates the temperature in your home; it can come in handy in winter, as there are times when you forget to adjust the settings. Install smart thermostats to automate this task.
Inspect the exterior section of the unit

AC unit parts outside the home may have complicated systems like drain lines, compressors, condensers, and so on. Inspect to ensure these components are not frozen in the cold. Additionally, plants and branches may come into contact with your HVAC systems’s exterior parts. It’s important to eliminate them to boost the conditioner’s performance. It helps to clean the outer space before the colder seasons arrive.

Change filters regularly

Air conditioner filters stop pollutants like dust and particles from damaging the system. They may accumulate dirt with time, making it important to replace them frequently to improve their performance. Excessive ice will pressure the air conditioning system, making it work more than necessary. Not changing filters will invite ice buildup, contributing to higher energy bills. The minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) for an air conditioner filter may vary from 1 to 12. The higher the MERV rating, the better the performance of a filter. However, note that your unit’s lifespan may get shorter in the long run.

Prioritize regular professional maintenance

AC maintenance experts have the tools and skills to inspect, troubleshoot, and fix any issues confronting your units. Prioritizing regular professional maintenance is not only crucial to saving energy but also to reducing risks of equipment breakdowns. Have experienced technicians service your systems at the recommended intervals to enjoy optimal performance. Without this, you may be unable to enhance the efficiency of your AC, which can affect your family’s level of comfort.

Crucial Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips For Central Air And Window Units

Like other mechanical systems, ACs require good care to operate smoothly. So learn these practical tips to keep up with your central air and window unit maintenance:

Fix leaks

Ducts may lose up to 30% of their airflow due to leaks. Window units are particularly notorious for being tough to seal well. You can inspect for leaks using the smoke trick.

Light a stick of incense and hold it near duct connections for central AC, or place it where the window unit and frame meet. If you detect smoke blowing around, you probably have a leak. You can seal them with foil tape or stuff foam for window units.

Insulate to keep cool air

Wrap ducts in hot attics to cool the air within them. You may use foil tape to seal rigid insulation and wraps to insulate tight spaces.
Upgrade for efficiency

According to federal requirements, air conditioning units should be more efficient than last 10 years. If you have a central AC, check for the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). Federal standards mandate a SEER of 13 for central units and an EER of 8 for window units. Upgrading for efficiency will reduce your energy bills.

Perform annual AC maintenance

Schedule annual maintenance before the cooling season begins. You can ask your AC installer for a yearly cleaning schedule that exceeds replacing filters.
Technicians may follow this checklist for annual AC maintenance.

  • Inspect controls and safeties
  • Clean and inspect coils
  • Adjust and replace fan belts
  • Lubricate motors and bearings
  • Inspect refrigerant pressure
  • Verify operating temperature

Contact Experienced HVAC Professionals in North Virginia

If you live in North Virginia, consult Briggs HVAC professionals to resolve issues with your air conditioning systems. We can offer you expert maintenance services to help your units run efficiently. You should note that hiring well-trained technicians is a surefire tip to find and fix performance problems within air conditioning systems. Contact us to get started.