Here in Central Oregon, the warm days of summer are still a few months away, but if you have an Air Conditioner, now is the time to think about maintenance. If you maintain your Air Conditioner yourself, follow the tips below. If you use a professional, don’t wait until you need your AC in June or July, or you may end up waiting for service due to the high number of calls during the first warm spell.
Benefits Summary:
- Lower energy bills.
- Lower repair costs.
- Extended equipment life.
A poorly maintained air conditioner must work harder to provide the same amount of conditioned air. This means more energy consumption and higher energy bills. Something as simple as a dirty air filter will hinder the units’ ability to circulate cool, clean air. The extra work required from a poorly maintained air conditioner could also lead to higher repair costs. Regular service can prevent any small problems from escalating into much larger, expensive problems. Finally, taking care of your air conditioning system will extend its life and make it operate more efficiently.
A number of things can be done to extend the life of your air conditioner:
- Check and clean the condenser coil.
- Check electrical connections for tightness.
- Check for oil and refrigerant leaks.
- Check safety devices.
- Check indoor blower/outdoor fan.
- Check temperature drop across indoor coil.
- Check refrigerant level.
- Clean and clear condenser drain.
- Lubricate as needed.
Note: For heat pump application, same as air conditioning plus additional checks specific to heating mode.
See a list of air conditioner professionals
These home maintenance tips were provided courtesy of:
Deschutes Heating and Cooling – NATE Certified (North American Technician Excellence) heating, ventilation and air conditioning company located in Bend, Oregon.