Air Conditioner Tune Up In Spring

Spring is the season for an air conditioner tune up and preventive maintenance because summer is the season for hot days and high household cooling demands.

A severe summer heat wave is an inconvenient time to live without cool comfort. It can also be a difficult time to get emergency service as service technicians are often heavily booked.

In this blog we’ll cover what’s included in an air conditioner tune up and why this routine maintenance benefits you.

Benefits of an Air Conditioner Tune Up

Efficiency

In fact, annual maintenance increases the energy efficiency of your air conditioning system. Even regular air filter changes help your system run better. Your air conditioner or heat pump depends on good airflow.

If there’s dirt and debris on the components, if belts are loose, if components need lubrication, your HVAC equipment cannot perform as designed. It struggles and experiences more wear and tear.

Repair and Breakdown Prevention

When a qualified HVAC technician performs an air conditioner tune up, he or she performs a comprehensive inspection. This provides insight into signs of duress. If your technician sees a loose belt, he or she will tighten it.

This minor act, for example, could save you major headaches. A neglected AC unit will react with extra repair needs and unfortunately, breakdowns. You may not get the full life out of the equipment. This means repair costs and the expense of a replacement are more likely.

An AC Tune-up Should Include The Following:

• A comprehensive cleaning of the condenser coils. Doing so increases efficiency (which directly impacts energy costs) and can reduce the wear and tear on your system.
• Evaluation of the coolant level to help maintain peak operating performance. Lubrication of all moving parts to eliminate friction and wear that can increase your energy costs.
• A full calibration of your thermostat to verify proper operation.
• An inspection of the ductwork for possible energy loss.
• Tightening and inspection of all the electrical connections to verify safe system operation.
• Evaluate performance of the blower motor and the condition of the blower belt.

Make An Air Conditioner Tune Up In Spring:

MANUFACTURERS RECOMMENDATIONS

A qualified HVAC technician prepares your air conditioner to support the cooling function and energy efficiency. This service reduces wear and tear and extends the service life of the AC unit and components. The longer your equipment functions well, the less often you invest in a new one.

It’s best to make sure your equipment is ready prior to its toughest season. Your air conditioner’s manufacturer, therefore, recommends service in the spring. Likewise, heating equipment is best serviced in the fall, prior to heating season.

PREVENTIVE INSPECTIONS

A preventive maintenance service call with an air conditioner tune up also allows the field technician to perform a complete evaluation. This is an opportunity to reveal issues likely to cause malfunctions later in the summer when the system’s under maximum stress.

Dealing with minor issues early is more cost-effective than waiting until they cause major breakdowns later.

LOWER OPERATING COSTS

In fact, the efficiency ratings assigned to your air conditioner are based on the assumption of annual preventive maintenance by a qualified professional.

If a proper air conditioner tune up neglected, energy efficiency is usually the first casualty and higher operating costs result.

Proper pre-season maintenance ensures you get all the efficiency and economy your AC unit is engineered to deliver.