This is college football season, and if you’re a fan, this is your favorite time of year. The plays are fast. The action is fast. The drives are fast. Everything about football is fast. Since speed is of the essence, no team would think of pausing in the middle of a game for a tune-up. Tune-ups are needed to keep the team running efficiently. This is true. But that happens after the season.
The same is true of AC maintenance and inspections. The cooling season is long and hard. An air conditioner needs care to ensure it performs well and continues efficient cooling. The best time to do AC maintenance is now, as the cooling season is winding down.
Automotive filters remove contaminants to keep the engine clean, and air conditioner filters do the same for human environments. There are many airborne particles floating around outside, but the sheer volume of space keeps the concentration level low. Indoor air, however, is trapped within walls, so concentration tends to be much higher. Without an air filter, indoor air would become dusty, smelly, and unhealthy. Changing the air filter at least every three months ensures the quality of indoor air for you and your family.
The compression and release of refrigerant gas achieves cooling, just as the compression of fuel drives an engine. A key AC maintenance task is to check the pressure level of the refrigerant. Any drop in pressure indicates a leak, a problem that needs to be addressed (a driver would not ignore a fuel leak). Should the refrigerant gas pressure drop below a certain threshold, it can have disastrous consequences for the compressor motor.
A high-performance engine needs to release the intense heat that develops during a race. This task is performed by the radiator, as massive amounts of air pass through the tubes and fins of the radiator. An air conditioner has two such components: a condenser coil outdoors, which releases heat from inside the home to the outside, and an evaporator coil that collects the heat from indoors. It is essential to clean the dust, pollen, and debris that are collected on these coils. Since condensation forms on the evaporator coil and drips away, care of the drain pan and drain line happens at the same time.
A high-performance air conditioner requires quality controls and sensors. These important controls need to be tightened, tested, and replaced as needed. The long cooling season has worked these parts ruthlessly, performing thousands of cooling cycles per summer. Electrical problems tend to cause a cascade of problems, so catching them early is essential. Since these controls also power the furnace during winter, this is an excellent time to catch problems.
This is also a great time to assess the performance and function of the air conditioner. Does the thermostat need to be calibrated? Do thermostat batteries need to be replaced? Does the air conditioner cool properly? Check it now, before the temperature drops and makes a diagnosis uncomfortable.
Fall is a perfect time to complete AC maintenance tasks. Cooling requirements are lower. Our technicians have greater availability. There is time to catch problems without discomfort.
Just as a football team prepares for the next season during the off-season, your AC unit needs a post-season AC maintenance checkup to perform at its best. Fall AC maintenance is the smart, proactive choice to catch small issues before they become major problems. By scheduling your service now, you’ll ensure your system is ready for whatever comes its way and avoid a costly breakdown during the next heatwave.
Northwind Air Conditioning and Heat can help answer your AC Maintenance Cypress questions for your home. Contact usand get the help you need.
