HVAC maintenance should be a part of your spring clean checklist. Although your air conditioner hasn’t been put to the test yet, Siouxlanders know that without a doubt, it will be. Scheduling your annual spring tune up will prevent unwanted costs and future problems.
What goes into a spring tune up?
- Thermostat settings are checked to ensure heating and cooling systems are keeping you comfortable when home and saving energy when you are away.
- Controls are checked to make sure the system starts, operates, and shuts off as it should.
- Moving parts are lubricated. Dry parts cause friction which in turn increases your energy bill.
- Electrical connections are tightened and voltage is measured on motors.
- Evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils are cleaned. Dirty coils will cause an increase in energy bills and a decrease in energy efficiency.
- Refrigerant levels are adjusted if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will reduce the life of your equipment and increase energy bills.
- The condensation drain is checked. A plugged drain can cause extensive water damage to the home and affect indoor humidity levels.
Spring Maintenance for your cooling system
Pre-season checkups cover A LOT. We have a Suter-specific Spring checklist to ensure your HVAC system is in tip top shape.
Spring Checklist
- Check thermostat for operation
- Clean evaporator drain line, condensate pump and traps
- Check indoor bearings
- Change filter †
- Clean condenser coil
- Oil condenser fan motor
- Check condenser motor bearings
- Check belt and replace if necessary
- Check refrigerant charge
- Check temperate drop across air conditioner coil
- Check electrical connections
- Check equipment and verify integrity
- Check for obvious refrigerant leaks
- Check indoor blower motor relay
- Check superheat and sub-cool
- Check indoor motor for proper speed
- Check refrigeration system for proper operation
- Turn dampers to appropriate position
- Check control boards and sensors
- Add environment friendly treatment to drain pan
- Test stand alone capacitors
- Check motor amp draw
- Lubricate moving parts
- For your heat pump, we provide these additional checks:
- Defrost controls, refrigerant controls and system drainage
† Cost of filter not included
What Spring Maintenance can homeowners do on their own?
Inspecting and cleaning the wiring and mechanisms of the unit is probably challenging for the average home owner, and we encourage you to leave those tasks to the professionals. Still, there are plenty of steps you can take to make sure your HVAC system leads a long, happy life.
- Invest in a high efficiency pleated air filter. These hospital grade filters screen out the smallest of particles. They are beneficial for everyone, but especially those that suffer from allergies or autoimmune disorders.
- Replace your high efficiency filter every 3 months. If you have a disposable fiber glass filter, it’s recommended that you change it bimonthly or monthly. A dirty filter can result in increased energy costs and damage to your equipment.
- AC and heating units need to be free of pollen, grass, and leaves. When mowing, do not leave grass clippings on your air conditioner. Keep approximately 2 feet around your unit debris free. A dirty condenser coil will cause energy efficiency to drop as much as 30%. Your cooling bills will go up and the life of your air conditioner will be drastically reduced as well.
- Turn off water to your furnace humidifier in the summer.
- Get in touch with CW Suter Services to schedule a Spring HVAC Tune-Up for your Air Conditioning System!