3 AC Maintenance Tasks To Complete Each Year
Your home's interior may become unbearably hot if you don't have a functional air conditioning system. Your AC unit must be maintained regularly in order for it to function properly over time.
Here are three vital AC maintenance tasks that you should schedule on an annual basis to keep your cooling system working efficiently.
1. Check the Refrigerant
Modern AC systems use liquid refrigerant to help cool the air they circulate through your home. This refrigerant can be dangerous, and should only be handled by an HVAC professional. It's important that you have your HVAC technician check refrigerant levels within your air conditioner. If there isn't enough refrigerant, you could place undue stress on your cooling system. Since the refrigerant is pressurized, your HVAC technician can also determine if the pressure levels inside your cooling system are correct. Regular, full refrigerant checks can help you prevent premature AC failure from negatively impacting the comfort of your home.
2. Lubricate the Motor
The fan responsible for moving cooled air from your AC unit to your air duct system has many moving parts. It's important that these moving parts stay properly lubricated.
When there isn't enough lubrication to keep moving parts within the fan motor moving freely, friction can be created. This friction causes AC components to experience significant wear. Friction can also compromise the efficacy of your AC unit. An HVAC technician has access to the types of specialized lubricants that will protect your AC fan motor against any significant damage while it is in operation.
3. Replace the Air Filter
All of the cooled air that is circulated through your home is pulled into the AC unit from the outside environment. This air passes through a filter that is responsible for eliminating any airborne contaminants. The filter can become clogged over time. A clogged air filter forces your air conditioner to work harder to pull in enough air to cool your home. The added stress can compromise the longevity of your AC system as a whole.
Some air filters can be cleaned and reused, while others must be replaced at regular intervals. Talk to your HVAC technician to determine which air filter is right for your home. Your technician will be able to help you create a filter clean/change schedule that will improve the quality of the air inside your home.
AC maintenance doesn't take long to perform, but each maintenance task is essential to the function of your cooling system. Contact an AC servicing company near you to learn more.