Why You Shouldn't Put off Your Annual AC Inspection

An air conditioning unit can be an appliance that may run almost constantly during the summer months. This can lead to it suffering some severe wear and tear that will have to be addressed to keep the system running at peak efficiency. Here are some common things you can do to ensure you are performing your HVAC maintenance properly.

Understand The Role That Clean Air Filters Will Play

Homeowners will frequently underestimate the important role that the filters will play for the performance of the HVAC system. For example, most homeowners will appreciate the need to remove pollen, dust and other materials from the air before circulating it through the home. However, it is also important to regularly change the air filters to ensure that enough air is entering the unit. When the filters are allowed to become severely clogged, they may actually reduce the amount of air that is able to enter. This can both immediately reduce the amount of cool air the system can produce while also increasing the amount of wear and damage that it sustains.

Minimize The Potential For Pests To Compromise The HVAC System

Pests can damage the HVAC system by harming mechanical or electrical systems as well as potentially nesting in the ducting. Mitigating these potential issues will require taking steps to have the HVAC system treated for pests on a regular basis. Furthermore, you will also need to work to close any gaps or other issues that may allow pests to enter the system. Periodically inspecting the system for signs of these gaps is necessary for finding them so that you can close them with caulk or other types of sealants.

Check The Refrigerant In The System Every Year

Your air conditioning system will rely on refrigerant to be able to cool the air that it blows into the home. Unfortunately, refrigerant can degrade or even leak out of the system. This can result in it being far less effective at cooling air. Checking the amount of refrigerant as well as the condition of the refrigerant will be an important part of the yearly maintenance for the system. If you find that the refrigerant level is low, it indicates that a leak has developed in the system. To prevent the refrigerant that you add from simply seeping out as well, you will need to first locate the leak and patch it. This may seem like it will be impossible given the complexity of the air conditioning system, but an HVAC service technician will be able to use a tool to pressurize the system so that the source of the leak can be readily identified.