Scheduling A/C Maintenance: A Spring Checklist for You and Your Technician
Temperatures will be soaring in the Tulsa area in a few months, and you'll be using your air conditioner daily. Now is the ideal time to tend to your A/C maintenance, as it will ensure that you have your cooling system in tip-top shape when you need it. Actually, A/C maintenance is a two-person job. There are things that you can do yourself. Other tasks are best left to your qualified HVAC-system technician. Here are some of the tasks that you can do yourself.
Replace your A/C filter (or clean it, if that's what your system calls for). Then check it regularly during the cooling season and change it as needed. A dirty filter can spike your energy consumption, because your furnace must work harder than it should. This raises your energy bills and can ultimately lead to breakdowns and repair costs.
Check the outside condenser unit. Hose it off and clear away all vegetation and anything else that's in it way, such as children's toys. The space around the condensing unit, including the space above, should be entirely clear.
Make sure the pad underneath the condenser is level.
Inside your home, check all registers, and make sure they're free of obstructions.
Here's what your A/C technician will do when he tunes up your unit:
Check the refrigerant and make sure it's sufficient. He'll also check for any leaks. If necessary, he'll replace the refrigerant.
Clean and tighten all electrical connections.
Make sure the control sequences are in working order and correct any problems.
Check all belts for tightness.
Oil the motor.
Check and calibrate the thermostat.
Measure the airflow.
Check ductwork for leakage.
Make recommendations to make your system more efficient, or suggest options that would provide a safer more healthy indoor environment.
Taking care of your A/C maintenance now will help to prevent any problems this summer. And making a habit of tending to your unit will lengthen the life of your system. Have questions about A/C maintenance? Contact the experts at Air Assurance. We keep homeowners in greater Tulsa warm in the winter and cool in the summer.Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Image courtesy of Shutterstock