It’s that time of year – here comes the heat! That also means it’s time to remind all our Arizona homeowners that it is once again time to talk about getting the air conditioning tuned up. Todd Russo, President of Rosie on the House Certified Partner, REEis Air Conditioning walks us through the process. Todd provides excellent advice regarding why we need to take the maintenance of our air conditioning systems seriously.
6 reasons why you should complete annual maintenance on your air conditioning system
Improve Energy Efficiency: A well-maintained air conditioning system runs more efficiently, which means it uses less energy to cool your home. This not only saves you money on your energy bills but also reduces the strain on the system, which can prolong its lifespan.- Prevent Costly Repairs: Regular maintenance can identify minor issues before they become major problems. This can help you avoid costly repairs down the line. During maintenance, a technician will inspect your system for signs of wear and tear and can make repairs or replacements as needed.
- Improve Air Quality: Air conditioning systems can accumulate dust, dirt, and other pollutants over time. Without proper maintenance, these particles can circulate throughout your home, reducing air quality and causing health issues. Regular maintenance can include cleaning and replacing filters, which can improve air quality and reduce the risk of respiratory problems.
- Prolong Lifespan: A well-maintained air conditioning system can last longer than one that is neglected. With regular maintenance, you can extend the life of your system and avoid the cost of premature replacement.
- Peace of Mind: Regular maintenance of your air conditioning system can give you peace of mind knowing that your system is functioning properly and efficiently. You can rest easy knowing that your system is less likely to break down or require emergency repairs.
- Warranty: If your equipment is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, there is an obligation to perform regular system maintenance to maintain the warranty eligibility.
Pay attention to included maintenance services
When shopping for your system maintenance, it is important to take into consideration the services included in your maintenance. REEIS utilizes a comprehensive checklist designed to look at every part and piece to make sure you will get the best performance possible from your A/C System. While the checklist is proprietary, Todd helps us outline the aspects of your system that should be looked at whether you do it yourself or you hire a professional HVAC company licensed by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors to do it for you.
AC maintenance starts with some basic testing & a visual inspection to confirm nothing alarming is present.
This includes:
- A temperature split evaluation to determine at a high level if the system is cooling properly. The system should have a temperature split of 20 or greater.
- All wiring should be inspected for proper connections & wire frays. You don’t want a short to occur which could cause significant damage.
- All motors should be inspected for loose bearings or oil leakages.
- The indoor and outdoor coil should be inspected for damage. Any fin damage should be combed out. All dirty coils must be cleaned.
- Blower assembly must be inspected for alignment, condition and cleanliness.
- Condensate system should be inspected for proper installation practices & slope. If a condensate system is installed improperly, it can result in significant water damage or unit failure. Proper safety systems must be confirmed.
- Attic insulation should be inspected. It is hard to keep an improperly insulated house cool during the summer. Minor insulation failures cut the insulation values in half.
- Your filter size must be sized properly for your equipment’s air flow. As a general rule of thumb, you must have at least 200 square inches of filter surface area per ton. A 5-ton system should have at least (2) 25×20 filter grills.
- Lineset insulation should be in good condition.
Now that the visual inspection has been completed, a more technical evaluation and adjustments need to be completed.
This includes:
- Refrigerant system – Utilizing digital gauges to assess the refrigerant system charge. If your system charge is incorrect, adding or reducing refrigerant is required. If your system is low, a leak test should be performed.
- The outdoor condenser coil must be chemically cleaned. We live in a dusty environment. The condenser coils get quite dirty every year.
- The indoor coil should be cleaned if it is dirty. This service is typically at additional cost as it is quite challenging to clean them.
- All motors should be tested for amp draw and operation temperature to insure they are operating within specifications.
- All capacitors need to be tested to confirm they are operating within specifications. They items are wear items and should be replaced if failing.
- All contractors must be tested. Contactors receive countless electrical charges. They tend to pit and stick. If this occurs, it could cause significant damage to your equipment.
- The condensate system must be flushed clean to allow proper drainage.
- Proper air flow tests (called static pressure testing) are completed to insure the duct work is sized properly for the equipment. Air flow is the leading cause of air conditioning system poor performance. A study performed by the National Comfort Institute concluded the average air conditioner only delivers 59% of its cooling capacity. The leading cause is poor air flow.
- If you have rooms that seem to be warmer than others you may want to engage a process known as ‘Pressure Mapping’. This tests the air flow in each room to be sure the flow is evenly distributed. If not, further investigation is needed as we mentioned above in ‘air flow’.
All of these steps are critically important. Air conditioning systems have parts which wear out. If they are not addressed in a timely manner, substantial damage can result in neglect. A simple part such as a contactor can easily damage your system beyond economical repair.
In conclusion, completing air conditioning system maintenance is essential for efficient and cost-effective cooling during the hot summer months. It can improve energy efficiency, prevent costly repairs, improve air quality, prolong the lifespan of your system, and give you peace of mind. Don’t neglect your air conditioning system – schedule regular maintenance today!
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Content Partner | REEis Air Conditioning
REEis Air Conditioning takes a whole-house approach to HVAC, and that means taking every single component into account to help maximize efficiency, comfort, and longevity. They will analyze and improve every part of your home’s climate control system. Serving the Metro Phoenix area, they carry several contractor licenses, certifications, and affiliations. Their NATE-certified service technicians adhere to strict standards and take part in continual training to stay abreast of the latest industry developments. They specialize in HVAC, insulation techniques, airflow, solar heat gain, pressure balancing, and more.
PODCAST
Todd Russo of REEis Air Conditioning breaks down how the air conditioner works to cool your home by transferring heat. The function of its parts like coils, compressors, motors, air handler and condensate line. What uses the most energy in a unit. Disadvantage of short cycling. All part of the importance of a pre-summer A/C maintenance check.
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