Gearing up for the sweltering heat of Huntington’s summers means preparing your air conditioner to keep your home cool. Our trusted HVAC technicians at Variable Comfort Solutions recommend scheduling preventative maintenance once a year to continue enjoying comfort, efficiency, and safety from your cooling unit.
First Steps: Homeowner Tasks
You can tackle a few maintenance tasks on your own without the help of a professional. Do not overlook these tasks and leave them for your annual professional visit. This maintenance is vital to keeping your machine efficient and clean between tune-ups.
Change Air Filters
Change the air filters in your HVAC system at least once every three months. You may need to change them more often if you live in a particularly dusty area. These filters block dust and allergens from entering your heating and cooling system. Failure to change the filters regularly could result in poor indoor air quality, a heftier workload on your HVAC system, and more dust accumulation in your home.
Clean and Clear Outside Unit
Remove leaves, twigs, and other debris from your outside unit. You can hose down the outside of the unit, but be sure not to spray water directly into the fan. Clear a 2- to 3-foot zone on all sides of the air conditioner.
Clean Vents and Intakes
Your HVAC vents and air intake registers collect dust over time. Wipe the outer portion of these vents with a cloth to remove excess dust and debris so that air can move more freely.
Professional Maintenance Services
Your air conditioner works hard in the West Virginia heat to keep your home comfortable. Our technicians perform detailed and comprehensive annual preventative maintenance to ensure you maintain your comfort and the system remains functional, efficient, and safe.
Visual Inspection
Visual inspection involves examining the cooling system to spot damage, excess wear and tear, and safety issues. This inspection allows your technician to fix problems before they cause further damage to the air conditioner and prevent breakdowns later in the summer.
Test Run
At some point during the maintenance visit, your technician will turn your air conditioner on to assess its operating condition. The technician will listen for loud banging or clanking noises from the HVAC system that may signify a problem. Odd smells are also a sign of trouble that requires diagnosis and repair.
Clear Condensate Drain
Your outside AC unit has a condensate drain that allows water to roll away from your machine. If this drain becomes clogged, the water will stay in and near the AC and could cause damage to the unit. The technician will inspect the drain to ensure it’s clear and connected for water to drain away.
Inspect Electrical Components
Electrical wires and cords present a danger if frayed, loose, or otherwise damaged. Your technician will inspect the electrical components in your AC system to ensure they are sturdy, secure, and safe.
Lubricate Moving Parts
The technician may lubricate some moving parts inside your air conditioner. This lubrication helps reduce wear and tear from friction.
Check Refrigerant Level
The refrigerant in your AC helps cool the air that comes into your home. Your technician will check how much refrigerant your unit has and add more if needed. If the level is low or empty, you could have a leak that requires immediate attention.
Calibrate Thermostat
Your thermostat may need calibration on occasion. This calibration service ensures that the thermostat temperature matches the correct temperature of the room so that you are getting ideal comfort.
Reap the Rewards of Annual Maintenance
Annual inspection and maintenance help keep your air conditioner running efficiently. The service also lowers your risk of unexpected breakdowns and extends the lifespan of your cooling system. You’ll enjoy savings on energy bills and go longer between repair visits and replacements. Skipping the annual visit can be disastrous to your system and leave you paying loads of cash down the road.
The dedicated HVAC technicians at Variable Comfort Solutions serve our Huntington customers with a professional attitude and with safety and comfort in mind. We provide expert heating and cooling repair service, maintenance, and installations. We specialize in furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and mini-split systems. We also offer indoor air quality services to help you breathe better at home.
Don’t miss out on the benefits of annual air conditioner maintenance. Call us at Variable Comfort Solutions and stay cool this summer in Huntington.
