One of the most important systems in your home is the heating and air conditioning unit. It maintains a comfortable temperature in your home year round, and it requires some routine maintenance in order to keep it running efficiently, safely, and reliably. Maintaining your system properly will also extend its life. Long before your system stops functioning all together, it will slowly lose its efficiency and require more energy to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. There are several different components to your system, and each requires regular maintenance.
Indoor Coil and Filters
Anyone thinking about changing an air filter will likely be thinking most about air quality, but the modern air conditioner uses a filter for other purposes. The filter is intended (in part) to help protect the indoor coil and keep it clean to enhance good air flow. Once the cooling occurs, condensation forms on the coil and dirt just might be carried in the drain pan. A lot of buildup could clog the drain to the point an overflow occurs. The refrigerant running through the coil is necessary so the correct air flow is maintained. A filter or coil that is dirty will restrict air flow in the system and this can undermine the right level of heat transfer. In time, this can all get worse and the system ends up being an energy drain lacking efficiency. A huge amount of strain is placed on the fan motor and the compressor, which leads to a short lifespan on the AC.
Condenser Coils
A condenser coil can be found on the outdoor part of the system, and this is where the actual heat transfer is taking place. When the heat transfer is occurring properly it will keep the pressure of the refrigerant down so that the compressor isn't overworked, and your unit is operating as efficiently as possible. This coil lacks the filtering system present for the indoor coil and it is also exposed to the harsh elements, so a regular cleaning is important to keep your unit functioning properly.
Proper Lubrication
As with any machine, it is very important to make sure that any moving parts are well lubricated. Only a trained technician will know which parts of the system need lubricated as a part of routine maintenance, as well as what type of lubricant should be used.
Electrical Connections
An AC unit houses a huge number of electrical components. As time goes on and the system has experienced a lot of use, the connections can become loose and worn, which contributes to head buildups. A unit might very well malfunction and this creates a major fire hazard. A great many will realize their system offers a high risk of failure during extreme temperature seasons so before those months arrive, a expert should be called in to look at electrical connections.
Refrigerant
All air Conditioning units contain some type of refrigerant. Having the proper level of refrigerant in the unit is important because levels that are too low or too high may damage the compressor. Having a technician check the refrigerant levels is a very important part of routine maintenance. Refrigerant does not just get used by the machine, so if your unit is low then there is a leak somewhere in the system.
Ducts
It is imperative to have duct-work that is the correct size for you system and your home. Many problems that occur with heating and air conditioning can be traced back to a problem with the duct system. No matter how good your equipment is, or how efficiently it operates, without the proper duct-work your home will not be heated or cooled to your satisfaction. As time passes, your duct system will shift and settle creating gaps and leaks in the duct-work. Having your duct-work inspected can prevent wasting energy by heating and cooling a crawl space or attic.
As with any machinery, your heating and cooling system will wear out eventually. No amount of preventative maintenance can prevent all breakdowns and in time you unit will have to be replace. With a proper maintenance plan however, you can prolong the life of your equipment and keep it running efficiently and reliable for as long as possible.
Indoor Coil and Filters
Anyone thinking about changing an air filter will likely be thinking most about air quality, but the modern air conditioner uses a filter for other purposes. The filter is intended (in part) to help protect the indoor coil and keep it clean to enhance good air flow. Once the cooling occurs, condensation forms on the coil and dirt just might be carried in the drain pan. A lot of buildup could clog the drain to the point an overflow occurs. The refrigerant running through the coil is necessary so the correct air flow is maintained. A filter or coil that is dirty will restrict air flow in the system and this can undermine the right level of heat transfer. In time, this can all get worse and the system ends up being an energy drain lacking efficiency. A huge amount of strain is placed on the fan motor and the compressor, which leads to a short lifespan on the AC.
Condenser Coils
A condenser coil can be found on the outdoor part of the system, and this is where the actual heat transfer is taking place. When the heat transfer is occurring properly it will keep the pressure of the refrigerant down so that the compressor isn't overworked, and your unit is operating as efficiently as possible. This coil lacks the filtering system present for the indoor coil and it is also exposed to the harsh elements, so a regular cleaning is important to keep your unit functioning properly.
Proper Lubrication
As with any machine, it is very important to make sure that any moving parts are well lubricated. Only a trained technician will know which parts of the system need lubricated as a part of routine maintenance, as well as what type of lubricant should be used.
Electrical Connections
An AC unit houses a huge number of electrical components. As time goes on and the system has experienced a lot of use, the connections can become loose and worn, which contributes to head buildups. A unit might very well malfunction and this creates a major fire hazard. A great many will realize their system offers a high risk of failure during extreme temperature seasons so before those months arrive, a expert should be called in to look at electrical connections.
Refrigerant
All air Conditioning units contain some type of refrigerant. Having the proper level of refrigerant in the unit is important because levels that are too low or too high may damage the compressor. Having a technician check the refrigerant levels is a very important part of routine maintenance. Refrigerant does not just get used by the machine, so if your unit is low then there is a leak somewhere in the system.
Ducts
It is imperative to have duct-work that is the correct size for you system and your home. Many problems that occur with heating and air conditioning can be traced back to a problem with the duct system. No matter how good your equipment is, or how efficiently it operates, without the proper duct-work your home will not be heated or cooled to your satisfaction. As time passes, your duct system will shift and settle creating gaps and leaks in the duct-work. Having your duct-work inspected can prevent wasting energy by heating and cooling a crawl space or attic.
As with any machinery, your heating and cooling system will wear out eventually. No amount of preventative maintenance can prevent all breakdowns and in time you unit will have to be replace. With a proper maintenance plan however, you can prolong the life of your equipment and keep it running efficiently and reliable for as long as possible.
About the Author:
Thank you to Jim at SimplyGood4U for more HVAC and heating and cooling systems ideas. For more information on ac and heating units, check out their site.
via oneofthebest
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