When it comes to things around the house, we often don't realize their importance until they break. However, with regular maintenance that can be done with and without the help of a professional, your appliances will have a long and productive life. One such appliance is the air conditioner.
Most people only think about their air conditioner when it is time to use it--in the summer. However, the responsible homeowner will have their air conditioner unit inspected annually, by themselves and by a professional, to prevent small, repairable problems from becoming large, pricey problems that require replacement. Listed below are a few things a homeowner can do to ensure that their air conditioner functions properly.
1. If you have an older air conditioning unit, you should keep if covered during the winter months. This will guarantee that dirt, dead leaves and other debris doesn't get inside the unit.
2. Clear the unit of obvious obstructions such as shrubs, paper, and other things that may block the airflow from entering the air conditioner.
3. In the Spring, do a test run to see that the unit is running as expected. Be sure that the unit is uncovered though before you do this!
Now, where the professional inspection is concerned, they will be checking for more technical issues. These include:
1. Checking the freon level. Freon doesn't leave the unit, so if the level is low, it is due to a leak. This is an essential repair that will be made if it is needed.
2. An HVAC professional will also check all of the electrical components, filters, and condensor of the air conditioner to see that they are working correctly.
3. He or she should also clean the evaporator and the condenser coils as well as oil the motors.
4. The thermostat should be calibrated as well to ensure optimum efficiency.
While it may seem redundant to have your air conditioner checked year after year, it is much less expensive to pay for a check up than it is to purchase an entirely new unit. This is especially true when you realize that the cause of the breakdown could have been prevented by these simple steps.
Most people only think about their air conditioner when it is time to use it--in the summer. However, the responsible homeowner will have their air conditioner unit inspected annually, by themselves and by a professional, to prevent small, repairable problems from becoming large, pricey problems that require replacement. Listed below are a few things a homeowner can do to ensure that their air conditioner functions properly.
1. If you have an older air conditioning unit, you should keep if covered during the winter months. This will guarantee that dirt, dead leaves and other debris doesn't get inside the unit.
2. Clear the unit of obvious obstructions such as shrubs, paper, and other things that may block the airflow from entering the air conditioner.
3. In the Spring, do a test run to see that the unit is running as expected. Be sure that the unit is uncovered though before you do this!
Now, where the professional inspection is concerned, they will be checking for more technical issues. These include:
1. Checking the freon level. Freon doesn't leave the unit, so if the level is low, it is due to a leak. This is an essential repair that will be made if it is needed.
2. An HVAC professional will also check all of the electrical components, filters, and condensor of the air conditioner to see that they are working correctly.
3. He or she should also clean the evaporator and the condenser coils as well as oil the motors.
4. The thermostat should be calibrated as well to ensure optimum efficiency.
While it may seem redundant to have your air conditioner checked year after year, it is much less expensive to pay for a check up than it is to purchase an entirely new unit. This is especially true when you realize that the cause of the breakdown could have been prevented by these simple steps.
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