Your home air conditioner is one of the most expensive components in your home climate control system. Not only that, but it is also one of the major energy consumers in your home during its usage season. Having an annual inspection and air conditioner tune-up performed will not only help you to ensure that the unit has a long operating life, but it will also go a long way toward achieving the best efficiency possible and lower air conditioning costs.
Professionals recommend that homeowners have their air conditioner inspected and tuned at the beginning of every usage season. Therefore, you may wonder, “What is involved in an AC tune-up?” Here is a point-by-point list of the basic steps involved in an air conditioner tune-up.
1. Inspection of parts and air conditioner operation
The HVAC technician will observe the air conditioner in operation to determine whether the unit is functioning properly and assess any possible areas of concern. When the observation of the unit‘s function is complete, the technician will inspect some of the parts in the air conditioner. The inspection will include testing the voltage to the unit, the condition of the belts, inspection of the refrigerant and drainage lines, an inspection of the motor and a look at the function of the thermostat. If there are any problems found during the inspection, the HVAC technician will notify the homeowner and address the problem.
2. Check and replace AC filter
During the inspection process, the technician will check and assess the condition of the air filter. If the filter is dirty or clogged, the technician will replace it with a clean filter.
3. Cleaning the unit
The next area they will address is the cleaning of various parts of the air conditioning system to ensure optimal performance. In the cleaning step, the technician will clean parts like the compressor, the condenser and evaporator coils, the air handler and the drainage line.
4. Test the level of refrigerant
In this step, the technician will test the pressure of the coolant in the air conditioner. If the pressure is either too low or too high, the technician will make an adjustment.
5. Observe AC function
Once the unit has been inspected and serviced, the technician will observe its operation through one full cycle to make sure that it is operating properly. They will check to make sure that there is adequate airflow and that the air coming from the unit is sufficiently cool and clean. If the air conditioner does not appear to be functioning properly, the technician may re-inspect the unit to assess the problem.
An annual inspection and tune-up of your air conditioner is a key step in maintaining the unit. Failure to do so can lead to parts breaking down and expensive repairs. Having the unit regularly serviced and tuned will ensure that it is functioning properly and that all of the parts are in good working condition. Scheduling an annual AC tune-up will save you money in long run, because it will help you to avoid unnecessary repairs and lower the operating cost of the unit.