Hello World! Welcome Friends! Have you ever wondered what a technician is doing when you call for an AC maintenance inspection? You glance at the technician and it seems like they’re just staring at your air conditioner.
Are they waiting for it to ‘speak’ to them or are they just catching their breath? Chances are, you’re also thinking thank goodness you’re not paying the technician by the hour.
When you search for AC maintenance near me, you expect to contact a professional. So, what exactly is the technician doing during the maintenance inspection?
What Goes on During an AC Maintenance Inspection
Okay, you’re being proactive about the health of your air conditioner. You schedule routine inspections and maintenance every spring and occasionally in the fall. You’re even staying on top of filter maintenance and swapping them out every 30 days or so.
During the maintenance inspection, have you ever wondered what the technician is doing? While every air conditioning system is different, most technicians will perform the following tasks.
Measure the Refrigerant Levels
Chances are your AC isn’t using freon. This can be surprising to some homeowners, but freon is being phased out of use in air conditioners due to its harmful impact on the environment.
So, if your AC is manufactured after January 2010, it uses a coolant known as R-410A. Unfortunately, this change in coolant types doesn’t necessarily mean lower replacement costs. You should expect to pay around the same for a coolant charge.
Sometimes, an AC only needs a coolant charge due to usage. However, lower coolant levels can also indicate a leak in the system. Finding and repairing coolant leaks is a common part of your AC maintenance inspection.
Inspect the Evaporator and Condenser Coils
If you see the technician standing around your AC, they may only be stretching their backs after inspecting the evaporator and condenser coils. The technician will make sure the coils are clean and unobstructed; dirt and leaf debris can get inside the coils over time, blocking cool air and preventing warm air from escaping.
Sometimes, the coils can become damaged, and the technician can make replacement or repair recommendations to help make sure that you stay cool when those sweltering summer temperatures start climbing.
Checking the Thermostat and Other Wired Connections
Your AC has a lot of wires connecting various electrical components. During the maintenance inspection, the technician will check and tighten all wired connections, and they will also inspect your thermostat.
Your thermostat is effectively the brain of your HVAC system: the thermostat tells the AC when to kick on and turn off. The technician will make sure the thermostat is recording the right temperature and recalibrate it if necessary. Even your thermostat’s calibration being just a little off can significantly increase your energy bills and negatively impact your air conditioner’s ability to keep your home comfortably cool.
If your technician recommends installing a smart thermostat, it’s something you may want to consider. Yes, a smart thermostat comes at a cost but it can result in significant energy savings. Not to mention the convenience you get with a smart thermostat. You can control your cooling system remotely with a convenient app.
Cleaning and Lubricating Various Parts
Your air conditioner has a lot of parts, all of which need occasional cleaning and lubricating—and this includes your condensation pan and drain. Moisture from the evaporator coils drips into the pan and drain and you don’t want either to overflow. The last thing you want is moisture collecting inside your air conditioner.
The fan and compressor motors also need cleaning and lubrication. If you hear odd banging noises from your AC, chances are it’s an issue with either the fan or compressor motor. Cleaning and lubricating these parts helps prevent the motors from burning out. These parts can be expensive to replace and you can avoid this cost with routine AC maintenance.
Clean and Replace Air Filters
Some air conditioners use replacement filters and others you simply wash off and stick back in. The maintenance steps the technician takes depends on the AC.
While the technician will take care of the air filter as part of routine maintenance, this doesn’t mean there’s nothing for you to do. You should plan on replacing or cleaning your air filter at least once every 30 days.
Don’t Wait to Schedule Your AC Maintenance Inspection
You can avoid potentially expensive repair issues simply by keeping up with your AC’s maintenance. Now that you have a better idea of what the technician is doing, you know what to expect during the maintenance call.
So, don’t wait until something goes wrong with your AC to schedule a maintenance inspection. Engaging in regular maintenance can help guarantee that your system runs efficiently and extends its lifespan.
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