Summertime in Leesburg, FL, is a great time for fun and recreation. With the heat that accompanies summer, you need a comfortable home to escape to when you need to cool off though. A reliable and efficient air conditioning system helps you maintain this comfortable climate so that you can relax when you aren’t in the mood for the outside heat. To keep your system in optimal condition, you need regular air conditioner maintenance. Take a look at how to properly maintain your AC with common tasks you can do on your own. Then learn what is involved in professional maintenance.
Before the Professionals Arrive
Although professional maintenance is essential for the health and life of your cooling system, there are a few things you can do as a homeowner before the professional technicians arrive.
Clear vegetation and other items away from your outdoor unit. Make an opening of 2-3 feet around the unit. Take twigs, leaves, and other debris off the top of the unit. Using your garden hose at low pressure, spray the outside of your unit. Do not spray water directly into the top of the AC unit.
Your air filters keep dust and allergens out of the system and prevent these contaminants from circulating through your home. Change your air filters every one to three months to prevent them from clogging up.
Professional Maintenance Visit
When our technicians arrive for AC maintenance, you may be curious about the tasks they perform and why this service is so important. Let’s discuss all parts of the maintenance visit.
Inspection
Visual inspection of your air conditioner is one of the top tasks in annual maintenance. Our technicians look over all parts of the system. We check for damage and malfunctions and check for excessive wear and tear that can indicate a problem. If we find issues during our maintenance visit, we schedule repairs as soon as possible so that your system is ready when the temperatures start to climb.
Cleaning
Dust and dirt can make their way into your air conditioner and settle in various areas of the system. We wipe these contaminants out of the AC. Our technicians clean the various parts of the AC as we work our way through maintenance. We pay special attention to the condenser and evaporator coils, as buildup can lead to issues with cooling.
Lubrication
Proper lubrication is essential to prevent excess wear and tear on certain components inside your cooling system. Some components move as the system operates, creating friction as they rub against other parts. We lubricate the necessary components to prevent premature wear and breakdown.
Safety Tests
Many HVAC systems have safety controls or switches that prevent the system from operating during malfunctions. These controls are designed to safeguard your system from catastrophic damage and may prevent damage to your home as well. Our technicians test these mechanisms and make sure they respond appropriately. If safety tests fail, your system is unsafe to use until repairs are made and tests show proper function.
Condensate Drain Lines
Condensate drain lines carry moisture created when your AC makes cold air away from the electrical components of the system. We check that these lines are properly attached, free of damage, and not clogged.
Refrigerant
Refrigerant is used inside your air conditioner to create cold air. Our technicians check the refrigerant level inside your AC and refill it as needed so that you have enough to cool your home all summer. We also check for leaks as refrigerant is harmful to the environment.
Airflow
Once we complete the inspection, cleaning, and tuning portions of annual maintenance, we turn our attention to how your system operates. We turn on your air conditioner and assess the airflow coming from your vents. It’s important to get even and sufficient airflow from each vent so that your home stays comfortable and is cooled evenly.
Sounds and Smells
While running the air conditioner, we check for abnormalities, such as strange sounds or foul odors. The AC should operate rather quietly. In addition, smells are not normal. If we find unusual sounds or smells, we’ll investigate further and schedule repairs as needed.
Thermostat
If the thermostat doesn’t accurately read the temperature of the house, it may require calibration. Further, we’ll make sure the thermostat is located in an open area away from vents and heat-producing appliances for the greatest accuracy. We can move thermostats that need a better position, upgrade your thermostat to a programmable or smart version, and replace thermostats that are faulty.
Why Schedule Maintenance This Spring?
Routine maintenance is all about keeping your home comfortable through the hot summer months. Scheduling annual maintenance is your best chance to stay comfortable when the temperatures soar. Here are some benefits you’ll enjoy when you schedule regular maintenance services.
Reliability
With regular maintenance, your system is less likely to break down. Technicians can identify problems before summer and make repairs. They can also ensure parts and components are in good condition.
Efficiency
Maintenance also boosts the efficiency of your system by creating less stressful operation. This efficiency can help keep your utility costs lower.
Longer Life
You get more years of service from your air conditioner with regular maintenance as well. Most air conditioning systems are built to last 10-20 years. However, without proper maintenance and service, you could shorten that lifespan by several years. When the parts of the system are neglected, they wear out faster, and your system becomes far less efficient. When extensive damage occurs, repairs may not be feasible and you’ll have to replace the entire system.
Air Quality
Cleaning your air conditioning system every year helps remove dust and allergens from circulation. These contaminants can cause discomfort when you breathe them in. Cleaning your system each year is especially important for those more vulnerable to respiratory distress and can help you breathe easier inside your home.
Cleanliness
Another perk of cleaning your AC is that you have fewer dust particles floating around and settling on surfaces. You may be able to dust your home less often when you have a clean and maintained cooling system. Cleaning these contaminants out of the system may also prevent odors.
Call the Experts for Summer Comfort
If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that M&S Air Conditioning has all your cooling needs covered. We offer comprehensive air conditioning maintenance to ensure your system is up to the task of cooling your Leesburg home this summer. We also offer expert heating and cooling repairs and installations, helping you retain home comfort all year. Trust us with your air conditioner, furnace, and other home comfort needs, and we’ll make sure you keep control over the climate inside your house.
Schedule air conditioner maintenance with the best technicians in Leesburg this spring and make sure your system is ready for summer. Call M&S Air Conditioning today to get on the books.
