Among the most important of all systems in a home would be heating and air conditioning unit. The reason you have such a system is for the purpose of making the interior of a home a lot more enjoyable to stay in, at least temperature wise, but routine maintenance is required for effectively ensuring such an outcome is achieved. When you maintain the system, you can help extend its life. Long before the system stops functioning, you will see the unit starting to fail and also require a lot more energy to keep the temperature in the home to remain comfortable. Many of these components that make up the system do require a lot of 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
At the outdoor of the section for the system will reveal the condenser coil, and this would be where the actual heat transfer is to take place. When the heat transfer is done the right way, the pressure of the refrigerant will be lower and the compressor will not suffer from being overworked. There is no filtering system with this type of coil so it becomes necessary use the right cleaning method to be sure things are done the right way.
Proper Lubrication
All machines will require lubrication so the moving parts do not wear down due to friction. A solid and experienced technician definitely does understand what parts of the system have to be lubricated via routine maintenance and he will also know what type of lubricant must 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
Air conditioning units will need to contain a type of refrigerant. To maintain the correct level of refrigerant in the unit is a must because levels that are too high or too low can ruin the compressor. A technician must check all refrigerant levels as a form of routine maintenance. The machine is not the only reason the refrigerant is used so if you see a low level, a leak elsewhere in the system is present.
Ducts
It would be critically imperative to ensure the duct-work is the right size for the system in the home. A host of problems will arise when a duct system is not in good order. No matter how good the equipment is, when ductwork is faltering, the home will not be heated or cooled correctly. The more time passes, the duct system ends up shifting and settling and that leads to gaps and leaks shall emerge in the duct-work. Once you take the steps to be sure the duct-work is inspected and cut down on wasted energy going into the 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
At the outdoor of the section for the system will reveal the condenser coil, and this would be where the actual heat transfer is to take place. When the heat transfer is done the right way, the pressure of the refrigerant will be lower and the compressor will not suffer from being overworked. There is no filtering system with this type of coil so it becomes necessary use the right cleaning method to be sure things are done the right way.
Proper Lubrication
All machines will require lubrication so the moving parts do not wear down due to friction. A solid and experienced technician definitely does understand what parts of the system have to be lubricated via routine maintenance and he will also know what type of lubricant must 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
Air conditioning units will need to contain a type of refrigerant. To maintain the correct level of refrigerant in the unit is a must because levels that are too high or too low can ruin the compressor. A technician must check all refrigerant levels as a form of routine maintenance. The machine is not the only reason the refrigerant is used so if you see a low level, a leak elsewhere in the system is present.
Ducts
It would be critically imperative to ensure the duct-work is the right size for the system in the home. A host of problems will arise when a duct system is not in good order. No matter how good the equipment is, when ductwork is faltering, the home will not be heated or cooled correctly. The more time passes, the duct system ends up shifting and settling and that leads to gaps and leaks shall emerge in the duct-work. Once you take the steps to be sure the duct-work is inspected and cut down on wasted energy going into the 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:
I used the following website for reference material on HVAC repair and maintenance. Located in Huntsville, Alabama, their site provides information on home repair and professional design. The writer isn't associated with this business or website and didn't have them review this article.