If you want to be cool this summer season, be sure to perform a preseason air conditioning checkup before the weather becomes blazing hot.
Regularly maintaining an air conditioner is rather easy and takes only a few minutes. A little cleaning, a filter, some oil and an adjustment or two and you can easily prevent what might be a big surprise on the first blistering day of summer. And, your comfort is only one issue. Repairing an air conditioner (or any appliance for that matter) in its "off-season" can mean avoiding a repair bill. Also, a properly maintained air conditioner will operate more economically. So, a preseason checkup can eliminate the frustration of having hot air blown in your face and off-season repairs. And, a properly tuned unit costs less to operate. If you don't have a service manual, contact the manufacturer and ask for a copy. Another "first-time-around" alternative is to hire an experienced contractor to walk you through the process. Tag items with numbers and list what to do by the number in a log or a journal.
Clean and lubricate the blower/motor assembly as necessary: It isn't unusual to open the furnace cover and discover that the blower assembly is filled with spider webs, dust and leaves. Dust is not a good thing for moving parts. A dirty, poorly lubricated bearing quickly can wear to nothing. A vacuum cleaner works well here. Follow the instructions on the motor or in the user's manual to determine which type of oil to use on the motor and blower pulleys. Just lift the fill cap and squirt in a few drops.
Service or replace the belt (this applies to belt models only): Regular belt maintenance can extend the belt's life considerably. After cleaning the belt, make sure that it is properly adjusted and free of cracks and splits. We oppose the use of a belt dressing to stop a belt squeak. Belt dressing might stop the squeak, but often will soften the belt and cause it to wear out more quickly. And it might not stop the belt from continuing to slip - a bad thing. Don't try to get extra mileage from a cracked or split belt. Replace it.
Clean or replace all Filters: Filter cleaning and replacement is important. As a filter begins to clog, air movement is reduced and back pressure is exerted on the blower system. This can cause the belt, pulleys and motor to expire. Also, it costs more to operate a clogged system. And no one who wants to breathe dirty air.
Check for proper air flow: If the air coming from a supply register is not flowing as freely as it is at other registers, or if the air doesn't seem to be as cold, there might be a break somewhere in the ducting. Air-conditioning contractors have a device they place over a register to measure air pressure (flow) and temperature. They can tell if a line has a possible break. If you aren't sure about flow, contact an industry professional. You might unwittingly be cooling your attic, basement or crawl space.
Check the condensate line: The condensate line in an air conditioner is used to transport water that condenses inside the unit out to the garden. Occasionally small animals will nest or die in the line causing a clog. Although this possibility is remote, it doesn't hurt to check. One thing you don't want is a flood in the furnace room.
Clean and repair the compressor coil fins: The compressor coil (located outside the house) acts like a car's cooling system. An electric fan moves air across the coils to cool them down. If the fins that surround the coils get bent or clogged, the refrigerant will not be effectively cooled and the unit will not operate to maximum efficiency. Use an old kitchen knife to straighten bent fins and use a garden hose to remove clogs.
Lubricate the fan motor: Once the fins are clean and straight, give the motor a wipe down and, if it looks a little hungry, feed it a drop or two of oil. Again, you will want to refer to the owner's manual for the proper type of oil to use.
Check the thermostat: Our maintenance list is in the order that it we think the work should be performed. You will want to wait to check the thermostat after you are sure that the rest of the unit is operating properly. All you need to do here is to ensure that the proper operation occurs when the various settings are switched from one point to another. Check system operation: Does it work or not. At this point if it doesn't, it might be the time to call in a specialist.
Inspect for unusual vibration or noise: If you decide to hire a contractor to service your unit, be sure to let the technician know whether your system is unusually noisy. As an occupant of the home you will be ultra-sensitive to changes in noise levels, whereas a technician might not recognize the problem right away. Increased noise level means something is coming loose or is wearing unevenly. In either case, quick action should be taken to prevent major damage.
