Although it’s hard to predict the weather, one thing is for certain. Eventually you’ll need to turn on your cooling system when temperatures in the Twin Cities get uncomfortably warm and humid. Spring is here, so that could be sooner rather than later. And running your air conditioner without first ensuring that it receives the necessary seasonal maintenance could cause your electric bill to rise and needless wear and tear to occur on your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) equipment.
What can you do yourself?
Here are a few preventive maintenance steps that you can do yourself:
- Clean the filter for the blower. Keeping the parts inside the blower clean makes the entire cooling system run more efficiently. More air goes over the evaporator coil and the compressor doesn’t run as long, saving you money. When too much dust builds inside the blower, the evaporator coil may not be able to take sufficient cold away from the coil, causing it to freeze. When this happens, your compressor may fail, an expensive repair or replacement.
- Check the outdoor condenser for debris. The faster the coolant loses the heat from your house, the less it runs. Anything that blocks the flow of air slows the process down and stresses the compressor.
- Change your filters. It’s imperative that you regularly check and change your HVAC system’s air filters, to prevent a buildup of dust and other contaminants. These clogs force your system to work harder to push air into your living area, which causes more wear and tear on the system and increases your energy costs. Check them at least every six to eight weeks, and change them if they appear dirty or clogged.
What should you have a professional do?
Although do-it-yourself projects are essential for managing your cooling system, some tasks have to be done by an HVAC professional, including:
- Checking refrigerant levels. If the levels are low, the technician looks for leaks and repairs or replaces the parts. Not only is it expensive and wasteful to leak refrigerant into the atmosphere, it also releases toxins. If the levels are too low, eventually the compressor won’t run at all.
- Cleaning the indoor evaporator.
- Tightening the belt and oiling the motor.
- Inspecting and cleaning all the electrical connections and components.
- Measuring the airflow through the blower and looking for leaks in the ducts, which can account for a 30 percent decline in energy efficiency.
- Calibrating the thermostat.
- Verifying that the drainpipe is clear to take away the condensation from the blower.
Marsh Heating & Air Conditioning can help you with your cooling system, making sure that it runs as efficiently as possible, and is ready to work hard to keep you cool all summer long. Contact us to schedule an appointment. We’ve been providing HVAC services to residential and commercial customers in the Twin Cities since 1974.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about cooling systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Marsh Heating and Air Conditioning services Minnesota’s Twin Cities. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!
Maintenance Checklist image via Shutterstock