Ensure You Are Ready For the Heat: Check for A/C Repairs

Before the worst of the summer’s heat arrives, it’s a good idea to book your annual maintenance visit. Besides keeping your system in top condition, such a tune-up prevents A/C repairs when you most need your air conditioner. 

Based on how well it ran summer or issues you had this winter with the furnace, you may have an idea of its general condition. Some things are impossible to check without HVAC equipment, like the refrigerant level and condition of the electrical components. If either is in need of service, your A/C may break down suddenly.

What to Inspect

• One of the first things the HVAC technician will look at are the electrical components inside the air handler and the outdoor condenser. Over time, they corrode and won’t transfer electricity as efficiently.Not only will it cost more to cool your home, but the components themselves also wear out faster. The technician will clean them and apply a nonconductive lubricant on them.
• A refrigerant check is essential for your system. It’s possible for the refrigerant lines to develop pinhole leaks. As refrigerant escapes, your system loses efficiency and the evaporator coil may even freeze over. A frozen coil won’t cool your home and it may cause the compressor in the outdoor condenser to fail, resulting in expensive A/C repairs.The technician uses pressure gauges to check the pressure. If leaks are present, he or she will fix them before adding more.
• The drain pan beneath the evaporator coil needs to be cleaned, along with the drainline. Although you can check the drain pan, you may lack the means to check for clogs in the drainline. A clogged line can back up water into your home, flooding the area around the air handler.
• The fans and motors. The air conditioner uses a motor and fan in both the condenser and the air handler. Fan belts break and motors burn out. The technician will inspect their condition and replace if necessary.

Bottom Line

Avoiding A/C repairs through preventive maintenance goes a long way toward a comfortable summer with reasonable cooling bills. To schedule your service today, contact Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning, providing HVAC services for Lorain-area homeowners.