Your HVAC system is crucial in maintaining a comfortable home, but it becomes less efficient over time without proper maintenance. Dust buildup, worn-out components, and minor issues can force your system to work harder than necessary, leading to higher energy bills and unnecessary strain on vital parts. Regular professional maintenance helps prevent these problems by keeping your system clean, well-calibrated, and running at peak performance.
Detecting System Problems
The most obvious way that professional maintenance service helps to ensure your systems operate efficiently is by detecting any potential problems that your system may have. For instance, a frayed fan belt can strain the motor or break, damaging other internal components. When one of our technicians assesses your heating or cooling system, they will look for any components that may cause issues.
An added benefit of annual tune-ups is that, by fixing problems during maintenance, you can greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a breakdown when you need heating or cooling the most. This can go a long way in giving you peace of mind about the overall operation of your system.
Ensuring Adequate Refrigerant
One key benefit of professional maintenance is ensuring your air conditioning system has the correct refrigerant level. Refrigerant is essential for the cooling process, as it absorbs heat from inside your home and releases it outside. As the refrigerant cycles through the system, it changes from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid, allowing your AC to remove heat. Without the right amount of refrigerant, your system cannot effectively transfer heat, leading to longer cooling cycles, higher energy bills, and reduced comfort.
During a maintenance visit, our technicians inspect your refrigerant lines for leaks, checking for signs of corrosion, loose fittings, or punctures that could allow refrigerant to escape. If they detect a leak, they seal the affected area, test the system to ensure the repair is secure, and recharge the refrigerant to the proper level. Addressing leaks helps restore your AC’s cooling power, improve energy efficiency, and prevent further strain on the compressor and other critical components.
Cleaning Coils
Two critical air conditioning system components are the evaporator and condenser coils. These coils house the refrigerant responsible for absorbing and releasing heat, allowing your system to cool your home effectively. However, when dirt and debris accumulate on the coils, they create an insulating layer that prevents efficient heat transfer. This forces your system to work harder, reducing efficiency and increasing energy consumption.
Our technicians use specialized coil cleaners to break down built-up grime and remove dust, pollen, and other contaminants during professional maintenance. For the evaporator coil, they apply a no-rinse foaming cleaner that lifts dirt away. In contrast, the condenser coil is cleaned with a combination of coil-safe chemical solutions and a gentle water rinse. By thoroughly cleaning the coils, our professionals help your system run more efficiently, reducing strain on components and improving overall performance.
Lubricating Moving Parts
Your HVAC system relies on numerous moving components to work correctly. Like any mechanical system, these parts require adequate lubrication to move freely. Over time, lubrication can dry out, leading to increased friction between metal surfaces. This added friction accelerates wear and tear, causes components to overheat, and can even lead to premature failure.
During a professional maintenance visit, our technicians apply lubricant to critical areas where metal parts meet. This includes the blower motor bearings, which help the fan spin smoothly, and the fan shaft, which ensures proper airflow through the system. They also lubricate the moving joints of the condenser fan motor in air conditioners, preventing unnecessary strain on outdoor unit components. By reducing friction in these critical areas, professional lubrication helps extend the lifespan of your HVAC system, improves energy efficiency, and ensures quieter operation.
Proper Thermostat Calibration
One lesser thought-about benefit that HVAC maintenance can have on the overall operating efficiency of your system is the calibration of your thermostat. If your thermostat isn’t properly calibrated, it will read a different interior temperature than your home actually is. This can create numerous problems. For example, your air conditioning system may be set at 72 degrees Fahrenheit. However, a miscalibrated thermostat may read the temperature as 75 degrees and constantly tell your air conditioning system to turn on to cool your home down. This can cause excessive runtime and higher cooling costs.
Burner Calibration
One other way that maintenance service will ensure optimal system operating efficiency is through burner calibration. If your furnace or boiler uses fuel like heating oil, natural gas, or propane, it needs to have the right mixture of air for combustion. If the mixture is not set correctly, it could lead to excessive fuel waste. Regular maintenance ensures the appropriate air and fuel mix for optimal system performance.
Duct Cleaning and Sealing
While not a part of the annual maintenance service, one other type of service that you should be getting every few years is duct cleaning and sealing. This helps to address inefficiencies in your ductwork that could be causing your air conditioning or heating system to run more than needed.
Duct cleaning helps to remove any buildup of debris inside your ducting that could be restricting airflow, and sealing service works to block off any leaks in your system. This helps to ensure all the conditioned air produced by your HVAC system makes it to all the rooms in your home.
Protects Your Warranty
Professional maintenance not only keeps your HVAC system operating at peak performance but also protects your manufacturer’s warranty. Most HVAC warranties require regular maintenance as a condition of coverage, meaning neglecting routine service could leave you responsible for costly repairs. By scheduling professional maintenance, you ensure your system remains in compliance with warranty terms, protecting you from unexpected out-of-pocket expenses in the future.
Air Filter Changes
Replacing your HVAC system’s air filter is one of the maintenance tasks you should take care of between professional visits. They tend to have a lifespan of anywhere between one to three months. It’s best to check the filter once a month and replace it whenever necessary. If you continue running your HVAC system with a dirty filter, it will restrict airflow. This will make it much harder for your system to heat or cool your home and can even take a toll on your system’s internal components.
Condenser Unit Cleanup
One other thing you need to ensure you’re doing as a homeowner is cleaning up around your outdoor AC condenser unit. Make it a habit to check your unit at least once a month, and remove any leaves or other debris. Also, trim back any low-hanging branches or shrubbery within a few feet of the unit to ensure it has adequate open space to operate.
Exceptional HVAC Maintenance Service
El Indio AC provides exceptional HVAC maintenance service to the Tolleson, AZ area. We can also assist with all your HVAC repair, installation, and replacement needs. Contact us today to schedule your next service appointment with one of our experienced HVAC technicians.
