Imagine that you’re going on a road trip during the summer. You’ve got everything figured out: which highways to take (and which to avoid); the right summer tunes loaded up in a playlist; the estimated time of arrival.
The only thing you forgot was to have your car looked over. And not long after the trip begins, you get a flat tire. Now you’re stuck in unfamiliar territory waiting for it to get fixed.
That situation is to be avoided at all costs. Yet, many homeowners who neglect maintenance for their air conditioners are subjecting themselves to a similar fate. It’s typically during the middle of the summer, when the AC is working the hardest, that it “pops a tire” and needs repairs. And often, these repairs are things that could have been prevented in the first place with a maintenance check.
Some of them include:
Refrigerant Leaks
Refrigerant is the chemical compound that flows through your air conditioner. It’s the magic sauce that allows the cooling process to happen at all.
Unfortunately, it’s possible for the refrigerant line or coils to develop pinhole leaks. As the refrigerant escapes at a high pressure, it will cause the leaks to grow larger. All the while, the total amount of refrigerant in the system becomes less and less.
When your AC is low on refrigerant, a host of trouble can arise:
- Frozen evaporator coil
- The AC becomes unable to generate cool air
- Compressor failure
A simple inspection can ensure this disastrous problem is prevented in its early stages.
Dirty Condenser Unit
The condenser unit, also known as the air conditioner’s outdoor unit, is responsible for releasing warm air. It’s an essential part of the cooling process mentioned above.
The only problem here is that the condenser unit, because it’s outside, is prone to getting covered in dust and debris over the years. Likewise, the fins may have become clogged with dirt, or they may have been pushed in by children playing around the unit.
The condenser will overheat if it isn’t able to release heat properly. With a quick maintenance check, however, your HVAC technician can clean it up and help straighten out the fins if necessary.
Duct Leaks
Your AC uses a system of ducts to blow air through to all the rooms of the home. While the ducts remain out of sight and out of mind, they’re not impervious to degradation—they can eventually develop leaks and tears due to age or pests. When enough leaks are formed, a significant amount of your cooled air can get sucked out of the ducts.
We suggest having your ducts tested along with your appointment for air conditioning maintenance in Riverside, CA. While duct leaks won’t cause your unit to break down or malfunction, what it will do is significantly drive up your cooling costs. Having duct leaks sealed before summer is an excellent idea for your bank account.
Don’t skip the need for AC maintenance this year! Our maintenance program can get your system protected and running efficiently just in time for summer. Contact Total Comfort, Inc. today to schedule service.