Spring AC Maintenance will Improve Performance and Efficiency

With spring here, don’t forget to prep your home’s air conditioning system for the approaching cooling season. The difference in performance and efficiency between a well-maintained AC or heat pump and one that hasn’t been taken care of are huge.

These differences can be measured in comfort and energy bills. Not to mention, the chances of breakdowns and early retirement of an AC are a lot greater with a system that hasn’t been properly maintained.

Effective air conditioner maintenance requires both hands-on, do-it-yourself steps, mostly in the spring, and a professional spring tune-up performed by one of the best Cincinnati HVAC companies.

Steps You can take Yourself

• If necessary, remove any cover from the AC or heat pump’s outside unit. (Hint: It’s always a good idea to cover an outside unit of a split-system AC or heat pump before the cold weather arrives, to protect it from extended cold and wet weather and blowing debris. However, make sure you don’t use an airtight cover, since those run the risk of trapping moisture all winter. Your heating and air conditioning service team may recommend where you can buy a specially designed cover for the outside unit, or may have one in stock.)

• Change the air filter. Look at the filter, and if it looks dirty or clogged, change it. There’s a better than even chance that you forgot to replace the filter at the end of the cooling season, or if you use a heat pump for both cooling and heating, at regular intervals during the winter.

A dirty filter will restrict airflow, making your AC work harder to achieve the thermostat setting. This can result in damage to the compressor and/or air handler motor.

Choose home air filters designed to remove the great majority of airborne particulates but not so efficient that they will reduce system airflow. Your HVAC company can recommend the right type of filter for your system.

• Remove yard debris that’s accumulated over the winter, such as sticks, leaves and other clutter, from around the outside condenser/compressor to make sure there’s smooth airflow through the coils. Spray the unit down with your hose, using an attachment.

• Inside the house, remove any objects – furniture, rugs, curtains, boxes, rugs, drapes, furniture or toys – from registers and vents. When airflow is blocked in your forced-air cooling or heating system, you won’t get efficient or balanced cooling and heating.

If you see dust bunnies or other objects in the vents or registers, clean them as well as you can.

• Seal air leaks in window frames, doors and walls on the home’s outer perimeter walls. Caulk, spray foam or weatherstripping should be used, depending on the size, type and location of the air leak.

Proper air sealing will help with both cooling and heating efficiency (it has the added benefit of plugging entry points for insects and other unwanted visitors).

Professional Maintenance

Now that the do-it-yourself tasks have been taken care of, a professional maintenance tune-up by a trusted and certified HVAC technician will take care of the rest. Depending on the level of service offered by the contractor, that likely will include:

• Cleaning both the inside and outside coils of your split-system AC or heat pump (if the technician deems that necessary). Outside coils can attract dirt, dust and mold, while inside coils may attract the same, in addition to bacteria.

In either case, a dirty coil will hamper the essential heat-exchange process that’s at the heart of air conditioning; inside the house, it’s also a potential health hazard.

• Clean and lubricate moving parts in machinery such as the blower/air handler and compressor. When parts get dirty, friction increases, which forces the machinery to work harder.

• Check and if necessary tighten electrical connections, cleaning any dirty terminals.

• Check refrigerant level to ensure that it aligns with precise manufacturer-set guidelines. Any deviation from proper specifications should be addressed, and any leaks should be fixed as soon as possible.

If the refrigerant is noticeably lower than it should be, that could be a tip-off that your system is leaking. That presents a health hazard on top of any AC performance or efficiency issues.

• Check and adjust the flow of air through the cooling system.

• Ductwork should be inspected for leaks or defective connections, and repaired or replaced as necessary. (Some maintenance checks won’t extend to the ductwork. Discuss what exactly you’re getting before contracting for a spring maintenance tune-up with an HVAC system installation outfit.)

At the end of the maintenance visit, consider scheduling a tune-up for your heating system next fall. Better HVAC providers will call with a reminder at that time, especially if you belong to a maintenance club with a trusted Cincinnati HVAC company.

• Thermostats should be checked for proper operation and calibration. Consider upgrading to a “smart” programmable thermostat. If programmed correctly, a programmable thermostat will reduce energy waste when your house is empty or family members are sleeping.