     
Air Conditioning Tune-Up Tips
| Soon the daffodils and crocuses will be popping out of the
ground signaling us that beautiful warm days are nearly upon us. Before it gets too warm though,
maybe we should think about our central air conditioning systems that have been sitting dormant
through the past fall and winter. We don't want to wait until its 85 degrees outside to click the
air on and...NOTHING! |
| Changing your air filter and oiling your blower motor will help your
system, but there are some steps that should be taken by a professional air conditioning technician to
help insure a trouble-free, energy efficient, air conditioning season for you. |
| Your air conditioning system typically consists of two parts, the condensing
unit (outdoors) and the evaporator (indoors), let's start there. |
| The evaporator, or commonly referred to as the "A" coil, should be clean so that airflow
through it is unrestricted as much as possible. |
| Your condensate drain pan (surrounding the bottom of the "A" coil) and the condensate
drain should also be clean and free of obstructions to prevent water damage to your home. |
| The blower motor should be oiled, if necessary, and if it is belt driven, it should be
checked for proper tightness and alignment and replaced if necessary. The amperage of the motor should be monitored, and the
amperage should be within proper parameters as listed on the motor nameplates. |
| Your condensing unit, because of the way the fan draws air through the coil, is a great dirt and
debris trap. Spring is a good time for your technician to remove panels when necessary and pressure wash the entire unit. Sometimes
in extreme cases, an acid washing or degreasing of the coil is necessary to properly clean the coil. If the coil is not clean, air
cannot pass through it as it should, the system runs at much higher temperatures, and high temperatures are your system's worst enemy!!
|
| The compressor and condenser fan motor amperage should be monitored and oil levels checked where necessary.
To properly check the compressor, have your service technician use a megohmeter on the compressor, this checks insulation value on the compressor
windings and can detect any moisture, which can be a death warrant for your unit if steps are not taken to correct the problem. The worst news you
could get regarding your air conditioning system is that your compressor is gone! |
| Finally, the freon pressures should be monitored using manifold gauges and thermometers, your technician
knows what to do with these, and he will check superheat and sub-cooling temperatures to monitor proper freon levels (these are terms used for refrigeration
systems and are too involved to explain in this column). If freon has to be added to your system, make sure it is weighed into your system and that proper
leak searching is performed. Freon does not just disappear, if it has to be added time and again, there is a leak, and proper steps have to be taken to find and
repair the leak(s), it's the law! |
| Hopefully, having these steps performed by your technician will lead to a trouble free and energy efficient air conditioning season
for you and your family. Good Luck. |
By Dan Mock, Owner, Eagle Air Services
|
Eagle Air Service, Inc.