Regular tune-ups and maintenance for your air conditioner are essential to keep your system running cold through the Idaho summer. This service includes several steps to ensure your cooling system operates efficiently, safely, and reliably. Schedule your routine maintenance and tune-up with us at Magic Electric, Plumbing, Heating + Air, and you can be sure you’ll get the most in-depth and comprehensive service in the Magic Valley area.
How AC Maintenance Is Performed
Our technicians take a detailed approach to AC tune-up and maintenance service. We check every part of the system so you don’t face serious problems later on down the road.
Check and Change Air Filters
The air filters in your HVAC system block dust, debris, and allergens to keep them from circulating through your system and around your home. Homeowners should change these filters at least once every three months. Your technician may check the air filters and change them if they are dirty.
Inspect Mechanical Components
Your air conditioner has many parts and components that power your system and move cold air into your home. Your technician will inspect many of these parts for damage and excessive wear and tear. Identifying faulty and worn parts before your system stops working can prevent unexpected breakdowns in the middle of summer.
Lubricate Moving Parts
Moving parts inside your AC can become damaged due to friction as they come into contact with other components. These parts may require lubrication to prevent excessive damage, give them a longer life, and avoid the necessity of premature replacement.
Clear the Condensate Drain
Your air conditioner features a condensate drain that carries water from condensed moisture away from your unit. If the drain clogs, water will pool around your AC and could damage various components or nearby areas of your home. The technician will clear debris from the drain and ensure water can safely flow away.
Check Refrigerant Level
Refrigerant is used in your air conditioner to create cold air. The technician will check the refrigerant level inside your unit and add more if needed so that you’ll continue to enjoy cold air. If the refrigerant level is extremely low or empty, there may be a leak in your system. Refrigerant can be harmful if not handled correctly, so your technician should investigate and repair leaks immediately.
Clean the Outside Unit
Your outdoor AC unit gets dirty due to the elements. Your technician may clean the outside unit to remove dust and dirt. They will also remove debris from the top of the unit to ensure there are no twigs, leaves, or other items on or in the fan. You should also maintain a two-foot clearance on all sides of the unit.
Test Safety Controls
Most air conditioners have safety controls that prevent the machine from operating after a malfunction occurs. These controls help prevent damage to your equipment, destruction of your home and belongings, and injury to you and your family. If any of the safety functions are faulty, the technician will schedule repairs right away. You should never operate your AC without proper safety functions.
Check Electrical Connections and Wiring
Electrical wiring is essential to the operation of your air conditioner. The technician will inspect this to make sure connections are secure and not damaged. Frayed wires and loose connections could trigger electrical shock and electrical fires that can cause devastating injury and damage.
Observe for Smells and Sounds
Aside from the low mechanical sound of your air conditioner’s fan and motor, you should not hear loud noises while your machine is on. If you hear banging and clanging noises while the AC is running, it could indicate a problem. The same goes for strange smells. You should never notice an odor from your air conditioner. Your technician will run the system and check for any sounds or smells that may signal malfunctions.
Calibrate the Thermostat
Your thermostat may require calibration from time to time to ensure it matches the temperature of the room it is in. Your technician can test the accuracy of your thermostat and make adjustments so that it gives you better control and comfort.
Check Vents and Ducts
When your technician conducts an air conditioner tune-up and annual maintenance, they may check your vents and ducts to ensure you are getting sufficient and even cold airflow. If you have blockages and buildup inside your ductwork, you could experience hot and cold spots throughout the house, and your HVAC system might have to work harder to keep up. When there is a problem inside your ducts, you’ll need further service with professional duct cleaning.
How Often Do You Need AC Maintenance?
Our trusted professional HVAC technicians recommend scheduling an air conditioner tune-up and maintenance visit once a year to ensure your system is ready to keep your home cool all summer. This maintenance has numerous benefits, all designed to provide comfort and save you money.
Prevent Unexpected Breakdowns
Checking over your air conditioner and identifying potential hazards and issues ahead of failure means you’ll have a more reliable unit to get you through the hot months.
Provide Greater Energy Efficiency
When all the parts inside your cooling system are damage-free and working properly, your system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home. This means that the AC can use less energy to keep you comfortable.
Extend the Life of Your AC
Keeping your air conditioner in proper condition can give you extra years of functionality. Damaged parts and worn components can cause more frequent failures and lead to costly damage that may require you to replace your air conditioner much sooner than if you schedule regular maintenance.
Save Money
Unexpected breakdowns can be costly, especially if you have to call for repairs during peak times or odd hours. When the technician tunes your air conditioner, you’ll have a lower chance of damage and failures, thus saving you money on repairs. You’ll also save money on your utility bills when your system runs more efficiently. Less energy consumed to operate your AC means lower energy costs. Finally, you’ll save money by replacing your air conditioner less often when you keep it in top shape. Over time, you could get decades of extra use from your air conditioners and save thousands by requiring fewer replacements.
Achieve Better Indoor Air Quality
A clean HVAC system means better air for you to breathe. You’ll enjoy a higher quality of air in your home when you change the filter regularly and clean dust and debris out of your system.
We’ll help you get the most from your cooling system when you schedule an annual air conditioner tune-up and maintenance service with us. Our dedicated technicians will work through your system thoroughly to ensure we check over everything. Before it gets cold, remember that we perform furnace maintenance as well. In addition, we offer heating and cooling repair and installation, heat pumps, ductless mini-splits, air handlers, and air duct services. We also provide skilled electrical and plumbing services, making us your complete home service provider.
Get ready for summer in Magic Valley, ID by staying cool, comfortable, and safe with an air conditioner tune-up and maintenance from our pros at Magic Electric, Plumbing, Heating + Air.
