It seems to happen every summer: Your air conditioning unit breaks down in the middle of the hottest month of the year. Getting an appointment with a repair specialist takes several days if you even have the money to afford it. Until then, you might as well break out the oscillating fans and sit in front of your refrigerator.
The best way to avoid this familiar nightmare is to have your AC unit inspected during the spring. Catching problems early will save you from the impending summer heat and save money in the long run. One routine part of inspection is checking for leaks of carbon monoxide, a scentless but dangerous chemical, so AC inspection can even save your life. High temperatures can be particularly hazardous to pets children and the elderly, which is why its imperative to check your AC before the summer starts. Below is a list of things a professional would look for when performing an inspection.
AC Maintenance Checklist
- Make sure your AC unit is running according to the manufacturer’s specifications
- Check for carbon monoxide leaks, which can be hazardous to your health
- Identify problems areas to prevent the whole unit from breaking down
- Check for dirt or leaks in the system, which can greatly increase your energy bills
- Ensure the unit is running at peak efficiency to save energy costs and prolong the life of the unit
- Test temperatures across the air handler as well as air flow across the compressor and condenser motor
- Test the draw on the compressor and fan
- Make sure the condensate system and the evaporator coil are working together properly
- Check operating pressures and readings for sub cooling and superheat
As you can see, there are many health and economic benefits to investing in AC inspection before things start to heat up. You’ll certainly appreciate the effort after a cooler summer with lower energy bills. Learn your lesson from years past and call a maintenance technician before you have call the repair man.