Maintenance Tips For Your Air Conditioner

Want to keep your HVAC system running flawlessly this summer? As the warmest part of the year fast approaches, it’s important to know a few of the little things you can do to make sure your air conditioning unit is in perfect working order when you need it the most. Remember, it’s far more expensive to fix a broken HVAC system than it is to simply do maintenance and upkeep before everything breaks down.

1. Change the filters.

Your HVAC system has at least one main filter that helps to clean the air before it passes through the system, and this has to be changed roughly once a month. Not only does this keep both the home’s air and the AC unit clean, but it also makes the blower fan function more efficiently.

2. Check your belts.

You want to check the belts in your AC unit about once every three months, or four times per year. Look for signs of wear and tear that could mean a belt needs to be replaced, such as fraying. Even if the belts are in good condition, check them to see if they need to be tightened. If a belt breaks, you may need to make an emergency call, which is much more expensive than making a call during regular business hours to have the belt replaced in advance.

3. Check the level of the refrigerant.

It’s important to check the refrigerant levels for two reasons. First, if additional refrigerant is needed, you must know when to add it so that your AC unit functions properly. Second, if the level is falling quickly – or if the holding tank has been depleted – it could mean there is a leak that needs to be repaired.

4. Lubricating the system.

Just like any machine, the HVAC system needs lubrication to ensure that it runs smoothly and does not overheat. It’s often easy to check the lubrication of the bearings and other parts when you’re checking to see if the belts are wearing down.

5. Cleaning evaporator coils.

Your evaporator coils need to be clean
to function properly and to extend their lifespan. These are the heart of the AC system, and they cannot be ignored. You want to clean them at least once a year, preferably in the spring. This is also a good time to check for any damage that may mean a replacement will soon be needed.

6. Call R.F. Ohl

Fortunately, R.F. Ohl specializes in the maintenance of AC systems and we can conduct an AC tuneup for you at a discount price. We guarantee our work and can maintain any system, regardless of who installed it. Speak with a live representative 24/7.