Residential air conditioners and complete air conditioning systems are built to last a good long time, but that does not mean that they do not require routine maintenance, inspections and upkeep throughout the year and especially before the onset of those long hot summer days and nights. Regular maintenance checks and a regular AC tune up will contribute greatly to a longer life expectancy for air conditioning units and systems which can ultimately save homeowners a great deal of money and frustration over time.
Though a thorough inspection and AC tune up typically requires the services of a professional HVAC technician, there are some simple routine maintenance tasks that can be performed by the homeowner themselves. Simple upkeep of your AC unit requires little knowledge and effort just a little bit of know how. To begin with changing the air filter in your HVAC system is remarkably easy and should be performed at least every two to three months. A clean air filter in your unit allows the AC system to run effectively and efficiently and will continuously clean up any contaminants from the air flow thus providing cleaner air and better air circulation in your home.
Homeowners should also get in the habit of maintaining the outside of their AC systems as well, perhaps with a simple spray of the garden hose once a month so as to avoid any rust or other wear and tear on the shell of the outside compressor. You want to keep the outside compressor clear of dust, dirt, and other outdoor elements that could, over time, create unsafe conditions for the unit and cause varied forms of deterioration. In addition, be certain to keep any plants, grass, shrubs or other growths from accumulating around the compressor since these elements can cause the compressor to have to handle more heat than is typically necessary.
With regard to the more complex maintenance issues required for the proper upkeep of your AC system, it is imperative that a certified and licensed HVAC technician performs the more complicated and advanced maintenance and upkeep of your system. Our highly skilled and experienced techs at South Nashville Heating and Cooling are not only licensed and certified, but are fully insured to perform all aspects of HVAC installs, repairs, upgrades, and maintenance. One of the most important routine maintenance tasks that must be performed on your residential air conditioning unit is an AC tune up. When our experienced technician comes out to your home to perform the AC tune up they will test, review and repair (if necessary) all the important components of your system. They will accomplish this by:
• Performing a test of the pressure and coolant levels of your system to ensure that proper cooling levels are being met and that there are no leaks present;
• Testing your thermostat sensor to confirm that it is operating properly and that it triggers correctly;
• Examining all the wiring and critical connections to ensure that there are no loose contacts or no shorts in the system;
• Cleaning the evaporator coil on the system if need be;
• Inspecting and testing the condenser drain pipes to be certain that they are all clear and running properly;
• Inspecting, checking and cleaning the condenser;
• Reviewing and cleaning the condenser fan motor and the entire fan system and, if it appears the system is showing some signs of drying out, then adding lubrication to the system as needed;
• Inspecting and confirming that the outdoor disconnect is working properly;
• Confirming that the compressor amps are all working right; and
• Inspecting, reviewing, and thoroughly checking any other safety features on the system to make certain that all is up and running properly and should there be any potential issues, resolving the issues before they present with any serious and costly repairs.
At South Nashville Heating and Cooling we recommend all our clients have their AC tune up performed annually in order to ensure that your entire system is working properly and to avoid any serious mechanical issues. It is best to have the tune up performed before the arrival of the very hot weather and temperatures Nashville is known for so as to be certain that your system is not going to shut down, malfunction or fail you during the hottest summer days. If a homeowner chooses to ignore the necessary maintenance of their AC system, especially their annual AC tune up, and does not reach out to the professionals here at South Nashville Heating and Cooling, then they can find themselves dealing with more expensive problems and issues. Further, they will experience the overall inconvenience and discomfort of not have a properly functioning AC system throughout the summer months.
Our Nashville clients are all aware of the extremely hot temperatures we encounter in the summer months and appreciate the convenience and comfort of their AC systems. With all of this said, it is critical to keep your AC system operating at peak performance at all times, especially during the very hot summer months which means you need to contact the experts at South Nashville Heating and Cooling today.
Further important factors about your AC system are the fact that when they are running clean and properly they can save homeowners a great deal of money on their energy bills. When properly maintained and having had its annual AC tune up, your AC system does not have to work as hard to produce the level of cooling you wish to achieve. When it does not have to work as hard there is less of a draw on the power source which ultimately lowers your monthly bill. Overall a fully operational and properly functioning AC system can certainly be a tremendous advantage to residential homeowners in more ways than one.
With summer just around the corner, the time is now to reach out to our top of the line, qualified AC technicians at South Nashville Heating and Cooling and schedule your residential AC tune up today. When those hot summer months finally hit, you’ll surely be glad you did!