To make sure your air conditioning system is ready for the dog days of summer, review Advanced Home Inspection’s annual AC System Maintenance Checklist.
Before we know it, the warmer temperatures of summer will be upon us. Will your air conditioning system be ready to keep your home cool and comfortable when things start to heat up outside? To make sure your system is ready for when you need it most, review Advanced Home Inspection’s annual AC System Maintenance Checklist.
AC System Maintenance Checklist
- Condenser coil cleaning: Dirty condenser coils raise refrigerant pressure higher than needed, increasing your electric bill.
- Refrigerant charge level check: A low or high refrigerant charge can easily go unnoticed and increase operating costs up to 30%. An improper charge can cause compressor shutdown.
- Controls and safeties inspection and test: Improperly functioning controls and safeties can increase operation costs and cause other components to fail.
- Relays and contactors inspection and cleaning: Worn contacts and loose wire connections can lead to motor or compressor failure.
- Crankcase heater inspection: Non-working crankcase heaters can lead to compressor failure.
- Unit wiring inspection and tightening: Loose connections can lead to a motor, control, or compressor failure.
- Temperature and pressure check: An accurate record of your equipment’s vital data can identify potential problems. Keeping a detailed record with your AC unit can help reduce emergency service time.
- Capacitor testing: Bad capacitors can lead to compressor and motor failure.
- Unit disconnect testing: A worn or over-heated disconnect blows fuses and can be dangerous.
- Motor and bearing lubrication: Improperly lubricated rotating equipment will eventually fail.
- Belts and pulleys: Inspection and adjustment (if needed). Belts crack and break with age. Loose belts and worn pulleys decrease air flow, increasing operating costs and shortening your compressor’s life.
- Air filter: Replace if needed. A restricted air filter can cause your air conditioning unit to waste energy and shorten your compressor’s life.
- Voltage and Amp: Check and record voltage and amp draw of the blower motor, compressor, and condenser fan motors. Improper voltage and amp draw increase operating costs and can shorten the life of any motor.
- Thermostat check and calibration: Improperly calibrated thermostats cause your system to run longer than necessary. Every degree your air conditioner operates below 78 degrees can increase your cooling bill by 5-8%.
- Motor cleaning and inspection: Dirty motors are less efficient and will fail sooner.
The Importance of Annual AC System Maintenance
You wouldn’t drive your car 100,000 miles without changing the oil. The same logic applies to your air conditioning system, which should be maintained annually. Doing so will make sure it operates at peak performance, keeping your energy bill from getting out of control, and extending the life of your AC system, If you’re not experienced with AC systems, hire a trusted professional. A little maintenance goes a long way.
Home Inspections in New Hampshire
When your home is inspected by a member of the AHINH team, you can be sure it will receive a careful and thorough examination–from your AC system, to your roof, to your plumbing. In fact, we’re so confident about our services, all of our inspections are backed by a 90-day warranty. Contact the home inspection professionals at Advanced Home Inspection today. We’re here to help.