Combined, cooling and heating the average home can account for roughly half of all of your energy costs. To keep these costs low, it’s essential to schedule A/C maintenance every year. The service ensures the system will operate smoothly, keep operating costs as low as possible, and properly cool your home.
Make sure you check A/C maintenance off your to-do list before the weather in Northeast Ohio really heats up. A professional A/C maintenance appointment includes the following tasks to ensure efficiency and reliability:
- Inspect all system components for wear, and replace parts as necessary to avoid higher-than-normal energy consumption.
- Clean the system, systematically removing dirt from components including the compressor, evaporator, coils and fans.
- Check the condensate drain for potential blockages.
- Test the control sequence, making sure the cooling mode operates in isolation of the heating mode.
- Calibrate the thermostat to promote ideal home temperature readings.
- Check the refrigerant charge, ensuring the system operates at manufacturer’s specifications.
- Test airflow through the A/C.
- Check the ductwork for air leakage, sealing loose joints as necessary, and insulate portions that allow conduction losses to occur.
Don’t stop A/C maintenance with a professional tune-up, because your job is not yet finished. During the summer, you, the homeowner, are responsible for these maintenance tasks:
- The air filter. Keeping a clean one in place ensures that your A/C receives sufficient protection from dirt buildup, and secures proper airflow levels. Your HVAC contractor can help you select the right filter for your home’s cooling equipment.
- The outdoor unit. Peak efficiency and airflow also depends on the cleanliness of the outdoor unit. Every few weeks, check the area around the condenser, as it should be clear of debris, leaves, grass cuttings and so forth that could access the condenser. Spray the condenser with a garden hose to remove grime and dirt on its exterior casing.
If you haven’t made scheduling A/C maintenance a priority yet this season, please contact us at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning today and make an appointment. We proudly serve homeowners in Lorain, Elyria, Oberlin and the surrounding area.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area