Before the sweltering heat of summer settles in, it’s important to prepare your air conditioning system. You never want to wait until the heat hits to think about doing so. That could lead to system issues and unfortunate breakdowns. A pre-summer AC inspection is one of the best ways to prepare your unit to take on the summertime heat and reduce your breakdown risk.
Why Get an Inspection?
Getting a professional inspection for your air conditioning system isn’t something you want to forget. Rather, this pre-summer inspection ensures that your system is operating safely and efficiently. This can bring you a lot of peace of mind when it comes to your system’s reliability and keeping your energy bills in check throughout the summer. Annual maintenance is also necessary to sustain the warranty coverage on your system for another year.
Routine maintenance is great for extending the longevity of your system so that you get more for your money. It helps to improve your indoor air quality and overall comfort. Most importantly, it goes a long way in preventing unexpected breakdowns. You can also learn how much longer your system is likely to last so that you can plan a replacement.
We highly recommend scheduling routine maintenance in the early spring months. This will ensure that your unit gets the service it needs before you start using it. You’ll also notice that HVAC contractors have more flexible appointment scheduling during the spring offseason than during the summer.
Checking Your Refrigerant Level
One of the most crucial things that our technician will do when assessing your air conditioning system is checking its refrigerant level. Refrigerant is an important substance that absorbs heat from your home and releases it to the outdoors. If you have unbalanced or low refrigerant, it can indicate a leak in your system. Our technicians will take the time to assess where the leak is and repair it before recharging your refrigerant level. We use specialized pressurized gauges to detect leaks and ensure an appropriate charge level for your refrigerant.
Examining Electrical Connections
Another key step our technicians take is examining your electrical connections and components. Our technician will inspect your wiring for any signs of wear, corrosion, or loose connections, and test your capacitors to ensure that they’re providing the initial amount of energy your motors need to start. Our technicians will assess your contactors that control your compressors and fans and verify that your circuit breaker is functioning properly. Many electrical problems with your unit can be avoided by having a simple, annual inspection.
Inspecting the Condenser Unit
Your condenser unit is the large AC unit located outside of your home. Its main job is to release heat absorbed from inside your home to the outdoor air. It’s absolutely critical for overall system efficiency. Our technicians will remove any debris, like leaves or dirt, blocking the exterior of your unit. We’ll also clean and check the condenser coils for any damage or corrosion. Our technician will examine the fan blades and motor for any excessive wear and replace parts as necessary. We’ll also verify proper refrigerant flow and pressures for optimal system efficiency.
Assessing the Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil for your system is located inside your indoor air handler unit. It’s responsible for absorbing heat from inside your home. Anytime your evaporator coil is overly dirty or damaged, it can reduce system efficiency. It can also lead to increased energy consumption, which can increase your energy bills. Our technicians will check your coil for any dust, dirt, mold, or ice buildup, ensure proper airflow through the coil, and verify that your drain lines are completely clear of any debris.
Testing the Blower Compartment
The blower compartment for your air conditioning system is responsible for circulating air throughout your ducts. Items, like dirty filters, clogged ducts, and malfunctioning motors, can reduce the airflow for your system and cause inefficient cooling.
Our technicians will take the time to measure airflow at all vents throughout your home to ensure they’re operating consistently. We’ll thoroughly inspect the blower motor and fan belts to see if anything needs to be replaced or lubricated. We’ll check your ductwork for any blockages, disconnections, or leaks. We can also replace your air filter as needed.
Calibrating Your Thermostat
Your thermostat is the brain behind your entire air conditioning system. If it’s malfunctioning or miscalibrated, it could cause inconsistencies in your cooling. Our HVAC technicians will check your thermostat for proper calibration and accuracy. We’ll ensure that it’s properly placed to reflect the accurate room temperature and that there isn’t interference by direct sunlight or other heat-generating sources.
Cleaning Drainage and Condensate Lines
As your air conditioner functions, it naturally removes moisture from the air. This produces condensation that must be properly drained. Unfortunately, if there’s any debris or hard water buildup inside your drain or condensate line, it can cause water to back up. Even worse, it can allow mold growth to take over and contribute to poor indoor air quality.
During our AC inspection, we’ll ensure your condensate drain line is completely clear and flowing properly. We’ll inspect the drain pan for any cracks or corrosion and confirm proper sloping of the drain line.
Lubricating Moving Parts
Your residential air conditioning system has many moving components, including fan motors and bearings. All of these will produce friction over time and require proper lubrication to prevent excessive wear and tear. Our technicians will apply manufacturer-recommended lubricants to all your motors and bearings. We’ll also inspect all your belts and pulleys for excessive wear and replace them if necessary. This helps extend your system’s lifespan and prevents unexpected mechanical failures throughout the summer.
Performance Testing
Once all other tasks are completed, we’ll perform a full system performance test. This includes visually inspecting your entire system as it’s running to ensure that it’s operating at peak capacity. We’ll measure the difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures and confirm that your cooling capacity meets your manufacturer’s specifications.
Maintenance Contracts
With pre-summer AC inspections being an important part of prepping your AC system for the summer, it can be helpful to consider joining a maintenance program. We currently offer a maintenance program for all of our customers to ensure that your HVAC system gets the care it needs throughout the entire year.
Our maintenance contract includes a visit every spring to prepare your air conditioning system and every fall to prepare your heating system. By signing up for this maintenance agreement, you can ensure that you never forget to get maintenance for your air conditioning, keeping your system in optimal condition.
Expert AC Maintenance Service
Cool Zone Air Conditioning & Heating provides expert AC maintenance service for Peoria, AZ, and the surrounding areas. We can also assist with all your AC replacement, repair, and new installation needs. Simply call our office today and schedule an appointment with one of our experienced HVAC technicians.
