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What is AC maintenance and why should it be done?
AC maintenance is when a mechanically certified technician performs a series of tests on your AC to find out what parts are functioning up to manufacturer’s specifications, and what parts are not. Running these tests ensures you will not experience a breakdown in peak season. AC maintenance includes a light cleaning of the outside condenser coil as well as a 25 point inspection on all components of the AC. To see each component we test, please reference the comprehensive checklist below.
- Check t-stat operation and wiring
- Check system for operation
- Ensure unit level and on proper foundation
- Check wiring protection
- Check for proper disconnect and fuse size
- Check proper breaker size
- Check unit free of obstructions
- Check cleanliness and integrity of condenser coil
- Check hail guard in place
- Check condition of capacitor
- Check condition of contactor
Check condition of internal wiring - Check amp reading (RLA/LRA) of compressor
- Check amp reading of condenser fan motor
- Test compressor with megohmmeter
- Check condition of service valves
- Test refrigeration levels
- Test superheat/subcooling
- Check temperature drop across coil
- Check coil cleanliness
- Check coil properly sized
- Check pan/condensate tubing for cleanliness
- Check coil/lineset for proper brazing
- Inspect filtration system
- Check for proper and safe operation post inspection.
Importance of keeping your condenser coil clean
The condenser is a heat-exchange surface that permits the transfer of heat from the refrigerant to a condensing medium. The condenser must reject heat from the load being cooled, the superheat added in the evaporator, and the heat generated during compression. In residential systems, approximately 5% of an air-cooled condenser coil is used to remove superheat from the vapor, 85% of the condenser coil is used to remove the latent heat from the refrigerant, and 10% of the condenser coil is used to subcool the liquid. Both sensible heat energy and latent heat energy are removed from the refrigerant by the condenser. A larger condenser coil provides a more effective surface area, which increases the rate of heat transfer. Manufacturers add more fins per inch of coil tubing to increase heat transfer and system efficiency. Without regular maintenance, your condenser coil fins will be clogged with particulates. At first the efficiency will be dramatically reduced, but eventually failure to keep your coil clean will cause system failure.
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Importance of keeping your evaporator coil clean
The evaporator is the system component that contacts the air being recirculated by the blower in your furnace. It is the cooling coil that performs the work on the air by lowering its temperature and moisture content (humidity). As the refrigerant flows through the evaporator, heat is transferred from the air passing over the coil to the refrigerant flowing inside the coil. Evaporator tubing is enhanced with spiral scoring on the interior tube walls. If the fins on your evaporator coil are clogged, your coil cannot efficiently remove heat from the air.
Have you or someone you know ever had your evaporator coil turn into a huge block of ice? This can happen for many reasons, such as a clogged coil or neglecting to change your filter. You may notice water dripping from your evaporator coil, flooding into your furnace and surrounding area as a clue to what is going on. If this is your current situation, turn off your AC (to begin melting the ice block) and call to schedule with us today.
How can you tell if you need maintenance performed on your AC?
When was the last time you had maintenance done on your AC? If the answer is more than a year ago, you are due to schedule maintenance for your AC. Other clues that show it is time to schedule AC maintenance is when your system stops functioning as well. If your AC just doesn’t seem to be cooling quite as well as it has in the past years, this is one sign that AC maintenance is probably well overdue.
Things homeowners can do on their own to help maintain their AC.
As a homeowner you can do a few things to help keep your AC clean and functioning properly. Please make sure to change your filter on a monthly basis. This is essential. Also, during the winter when your AC is not in use some homeowners choose to cover their outside unit to protect it from debris in the off season. Please remember to take the cover off when you decide to run the AC next season. Leaving the cover on while it is being run can lead to irreversible damage.
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