Your qualified HVAC technician is your best friend when it comes to keeping your air conditioner in optimum working order for the duration of the long, hot Wichita Falls cooling season. Over time, the constant operation of your air conditioner results in a loss of efficiency as dust builds up inside your system and coats the essential components such as the fan, A/C coils and motor. A dirty or unmaintained system can result in serious problems and expensive repairs. Annual maintenance and a thorough coil cleaning will benefit you in four major ways:
- Improve your system’s efficiency.
- Lower your cooling costs.
- Extend the life of your equipment.
- Prevent common air conditioning problems later in the summer.
A/C coils
Your air conditioner has two coils that work together to remove the heat energy from your home’s air:
- The evaporator coil, located in your indoor unit, absorbs the heat from your home’s air as it’s blown across the coil. Moisture in the air condenses on the coil and drips into the condensate pan, where it drains through an attached PVC pipe.
- The condensing coil, located in your outdoor unit, sends the heat energy outdoors.
Clean coils
The efficiency of the exchange of heat depends on clean A/C coils. When your coils are dirty, the evaporator coil won’t absorb as much heat, and the condenser coil won’t release as much. Your technician will employ one of three methods for cleaning your coils, depending upon how soiled they are.
- Dusty coils are easily cleaned with low-pressure, compressed air.
- Dirty coils are scrubbed with a solution of water and detergent.
- Grimy coils require a chemical solution that is sprayed on the coils. The solution foams up and sits on the coil for a period of time before being rinsed clean. Heavily-soiled coils may need more than one application of the cleanser. Because some coil cleaners are dangerous to the environment, opt for biodegradable cleaning solutions.
Coil cleaning generally includes cleaning the condensate pan to remove biological contaminants like mold and bacteria, and to help prevent clogs that can result in a system shutdown. Once the condensate pan is clean, the drain will be flushed to remove debris trapped inside.
Annual preventive maintenance
In addition to clean coils, your system depends on several other factors for optimum cooling power and higher efficiency. Your annual tune-up will ensure these factors are in place for the best possible system performance.
- Correct refrigerant charge. At installation, your system was charged with the exact amount of refrigerant as specified by the manufacturer. Your technician will measure the charge of refrigerant and check for leaks if it’s low. Leaks will be repaired and your system will be topped off with the right amount of refrigerant.
- Tight electrical connections and safe wiring. Over time, electrical connections loosen and wires and terminals may begin to corrode. Your technician will tighten the electrical connections, inspect the wiring and terminals and apply a nonconductive coating if necessary to help prevent corrosion.
- Optimum air flow. Without proper air flow, your system won’t cool effectively and will have to work harder to compensate, resulting in undue wear and tear. Your technician will measure the airflow through the evaporator coil and check your ductwork for leaks.
- Accurate thermostat. If your thermostat is inaccurate, your comfort and your pocketbook will suffer. Your technician will inspect the thermostat for accuracy and adjust it as necessary.
- Electric control. The cycling of your system depends on the correct electric control sequence. Your technician will test the controls to ensure proper cycling.
What you can do
In addition to your annual tune-up and coil cleaning, there are several things you can do to ensure your air conditioner works efficiently all summer long to keep you cool and maintain lower energy costs.
- Check your air filter every month. When you can no longer see through it, replace it with a clean, quality filter. A dirty filter restricts air flow and allows dust to build up inside your system.
- Hose down your outdoor unit each month to remove debris that can prevent optimum heat exchange. Remove plant growth from around your unit.
- Keep the area around your indoor unit to prevent dust from entering your system.
- Install a programmable thermostat to control the cycling of your system and lower your cooling costs.
For more expert advice about the importance of preventive maintenance and clean A/C coils, please feel free to contact us at James Lane Air Conditioning & Plumbing, keeping Wichita Falls residents comfortable year round.
