Spring ideal time for annual air conditioner tune up
As cooler temperatures continue to linger, experts say it’s a good time for homeowners to check if their air conditioner is working properly before warm weather arrives by getting a precision tuneup.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than three million HVAC systems fail each year.
According to service experts, spring is the ideal time for an air conditioning tune-up for hot weather arrives.
“The best time to test for performance is a warm day in the upper 70s,” said Mark Hollowood, owner of Hollowood Heating in Calfornia.
Hollowood said he uses a pressure gauge to conduct a performance test on an air conditioner that measures the amount of operating pressure in the unit along with the electric current, outdoor air temperature and return air temperature.
Hollowood added that an air conditioning unit may fail to operate at the beginning of the season because it is low on refrigerant and needs recharged.
After the unit has been running for a while, Hollowood said the problem could be electrical usually caused by a storm.
Energystar.gov recommends to maintain your air conditioning unit to prevent future problems and unwanted costs by having a contractor do an annual pre-season check-up.
Having your air conditioner run at optimum efficiency can also help lower monthly energy bills.
Angie’s List reported that a heating and cooling system consumes over 50 percent of energy costs in a home.
As a preventive measure, energystar.gov said Homeowners can inspect, clean or change air filters once a month in a central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump.
Having a dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage equipment leading to early failure.
As the months get warmer, homeowners may also experience longer waiting periods in addition to higher prices during peak season.
A typical air conditioner maintenance checklist recommended by energystar.gov should include the following.
n Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
n Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors, which can cause unsafe operation and reduce the life of major components.
n Lubricate all moving parts.
n Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode).
n Check system controls to ensure proper and safe operation.