The Importance of a Spring Check Up
With the winter weather subsiding and the first day of spring upon us, it won’t be long before you switch your thermostat from heat mode to cooling. However, although you may be ready for the warmer weather, is your AC unit? Nobody wants to be stuck with a broken AC unit, especially when South Carolina’s hot and humid weather arrives. Luckily, there are many ways to prepare your system for the oncoming summer.
Change filters – for many homes and businesses, this should be completely quarterly. Not only do regular filter changes improve indoor air quality, using clean filters also reduces amperage draw on your unit, which means your system will be able to work more efficiently.
Clean the coils – just as filter changes are important for efficiency, cleaning your evaporator and condenser coils is important, too. The more air you can get moving across your coils, the better. If you are not getting much airflow, you may run the risk of getting a frozen condenser coil or overheated compressor. Tip: wait until the pollen season is over to clean your coils!
Check your belts – if belts are showing signs of wear and tear, it is time to replace them. Remember, no belt means no airflow!
Check your electrical components – make sure all components are running at their designed amperage and electrical connections are tight.
Check the drain pan – make sure the air handler’s drain pan is properly draining. If algae build up or debris blockage occurs, the unit will either shut off (if there is a float switch), or the pan could overflow and dump water below.
Refrigerant charge – make sure refrigerant levels are correct. If the system is significantly low on refrigerant, there is likely a leak in the system and would require immediate action before extensive damage occurs.
While some of this stuff may be easy to do, we realize that a lot of it can be difficult without the proper tools or knowledge, which is why Miller HVAC Service is here to help. Whether you are in need of just a spring cleaning or a full maintenance contract, don’t hesitate to reach out to the specialists today!
