The summer months are almost upon us. While people in the Austin area are already used to the Texas heat, the temperature peaks even higher in the summer and your air conditioning units need to be prepared to handle the additional cooling work.
Whether you have portable air conditioners or ductless mini-split air conditioners, it’s best to stick to the manufacturer’s servicing requirements and have your ac unit serviced at the appropriate intervals, usually every six or twelve months. If you don’t regularly maintain your air conditioning system, it will not operate at full efficiency.
Your air conditioner services should be considered and prepared for before you get to a point where you need ac repair services. Having a broken ac unit is not the best feeling in the world. Not even a fan can provide relief when the sweltering heat is causing you to feel like you’re melting!
Your HVAC repair technician will have to perform some of the servicing tasks, and others, you can do throughout the year to maintain your cooling systems and make them less likely to stop working. Be sure to consult your air conditioning technician for guidance on what you should try to do.
Below, we highlight services that can be performed by homeowners:
Clean your ac unit
This one might be considered a given, but many air conditioning system owners do not clean their ac units as often as they should. Cleaning your system can be as simple as wiping and dusting the evaporator coil and the condenser units, removing any dust or dried-on dirt. You must be careful not to damage any of the delicate fins of the unit during this process. Any more complex cleaning should be left for the technician to do during servicing.
Over time, dirt collected inside your coils reduces the airflow and the evaporator coil’s ability to absorb heat. Outside of needing air conditioning repair, the last thing you need is your cooling system blowing hot air when cool air is needed.
Change air filters
The main purpose of the air filters in your HVAC unit is to keep dust and debris out. Imagine how much dirt and grime would be on your filters if you haven’t changed them in a while. Clogged or dirty air filters increase your energy consumption because your unit has to work harder since less air is able to pass through the clogged filters.
In addition to your ac not working at full efficiency, the air you breathe in is also compromised. Blocked ac filters mean the air quality in your home will be inferior as all the dust and debris will not be removed from the air.
It is recommended that air filters are changed monthly. You can ask your technician to teach you how to change it or have him change the filter for you whenever you need it. Research shows that changing your air filters can lower your energy efficiency by 5% to 15%. This is great savings that you should ensure you’re getting.
Ask your Wright’s Heating and AC HCAC technician to install a UV Light
The summer’s heat is unbearable, but there are other things to consider when preparing your air conditioner for the hotter Texas months. When you install a UV light in your air conditioning or another HVAC system, it works to kill all bacteria and viruses that enter the unit. With the current pandemic in mind, it is a good idea to have one installed as another method to protect you and your family.
Installing a UV light will only be beneficial to you when you’re in your home, but it will still provide a great deal of protection. Look at it this way, you will be outside your home more; you will wash your hands when you return, maybe change your clothes and shower. What about whatever virus and bacteria that come inside when you enter? What about those on your clothes before you shower? Those are released into the air and a UV light can kill them on contact.
Here’s what your ac technician will do when servicing your air conditioning system
● Check the level of your refrigerant and refill it if needed. The refrigerant is a fluid or gas that captures heat from the air and cools it. It is what your ac uses to cool your home. As you can imagine, with low amounts or none at all. The summer heat will have its way with you.
● Check for leakage of your refrigerant. If you have a lower than expected amount of refrigerant, your ac technician will check for leakage before he refills it. Refilling it while there is a leak will only waste it. If there is a leak, the technician will make repairs.
● Oil motors - Your ac unit is controlled by motors that ensure it is run smoothly. These need regular checks to make sure they are functioning.
● Check belts - the belts inside your evaporator and condenser units are just as important as the motors. They connect the important pieces and make everything work. They should be checked for wear and tear.
● Check electronic controls - Your electronic controls vary depending on the type of air conditioning unit you have. Generally, the technician will check that your thermostat is working properly and that your other electric controls are cleaned and tightened.
Summer is the best time of the year for most people. Those enduring increasing temperatures might not be so enthused. It doesn’t have to be a terrible few months for you if you prepare your cooling systems to handle the extra work. Keep them clean and have them serviced regularly.
Summertime fun awaits you!
Contact us to find out how we can help you get your HVAC units ready.