HVAC Contractor Maryland: It is Time for a Spring “Tune-up”

The days are now longer and the temperature is beginning to slowly climb. Spring is right around the corner, which means one thing for business owners and property managers everywhere: Spring Cleaning. It is time to prepare your business for spring and eventually summer. You start cleaning the inside and outside of your building, but what about your air conditioners? With rising temperatures, your air conditioner will soon be kicked into full gear. But is it ready?

According to many HVAC contractors, more than 50% of all air conditioner failures are the result of improper cleaning or worse, failure to clean. This is why a professional HVAC Spring “Tune-up” should be part of your Spring Cleaning regimen.

Spring “Tune-up” Checklist

1. Check the Condenser Unit: First of all, it is important to check around the condensing coil for leaves or debris, straighten any bent coils, and clean with soapy water.
2. Inspect Wiring: One issue that often goes unnoticed is damage to wires from rodents. To check the wires for damage, first shut off power to the equipment to prevent electrocution. Then check for obvious signs of mouse / rodent nests & burnt wires. Loose connections or shorts from rodents chewing through the wire insulation are potential fire hazards and need to be repaired before the system can be put into service.
3. Refrigerant Levels: Low refrigerant levels reduce the efficiency of air conditioners. Unlike cars and oil, air conditioners do not consume refrigerant. Ideally, you will never have to change or add refrigerant to an air conditioner. If the refrigerant level is low, check the refrigerant system for leaks. Seals and gaskets may dry out from long periods of inactivity, allowing refrigerant to escape. Any leak should be repaired before additional refrigerant is added.
4. Drain Lines: Check the indoor drain line for blockages. Mold and mineral deposits can collect over the winter and clog these lines. These deposits need to be removed and cleaned to allow for proper drainage.
5. Blower Fan: An air conditioner’s air moving power comes from its blower fan. Even if a fan is cleaned or replaced on an ongoing basis, it can still become clogged with dust, dirt, hair, and other debris that builds up on the surface and restricts air flow.
6. Evaporator Coils: Over time, evaporator coils will become filled with dust. As a result, air flow is slowed; the evaporator cannot get rid of the cold fast enough, turning the coil into a block of ice, making it inoperable until the ice melts.
7. Replace Filters: Change your air filter and inspect the indoor coil/blower for dust and debris. When filters are dirty, air moves slower, taking longer to heat or cool a space, using more electricity.

It is important to take care of your air conditioner so it can take care of you!

To learn more about how an Air Conditioner Spring “Tune-up” can help you maintain your HVAC and mechanical equipment for your office building or data center, contact Crockett Facilities Services Inc. Our MSCA GreenSTAR qualified technicians can optimize your mechanical equipment and lower your utility costs with our annual preventive maintenance agreements. Contact us to get a FREE assessment of your HVAC equipment. We offer 24/7/365 mobile service in Maryland, Virginia and DC. Call us at 202.600.2787 or email sales@crockett-facilities.com. We’re in this Building Together!

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This entry was posted on Thursday, March 14th, 2013 at . Both comments and pings are currently closed.