The Surprising Benefits of Fall AC Maintenance

From Hot to Healthy: How Proper AC Maintenance Improves Your Home’s Comfort Level

While summertime is fun and full of adventure, it is also hot and humid. While we can accommodate the heat, finding relief in air-conditioned spaces is essential for health and comfort. This reminds us that air conditioning systems work very hard for a long cooling season. The average AC system in our region performs more than 12,000 cooling cycles per year. In a few weeks, the same system will begin the heating season, another period of hard work, with a similar number of heating cycles. Without proper care, a cooling and heating system will result in some very negative outcomes and need AC maintenance.

Your AC Maintenance Checklist

Proper AC maintenance of your system will result in very positive outcomes. Regular AC maintenance will:

• Extend the life of any air conditioning and heating system. Maintenance usually uncovers weakening and failing parts and makes adjustments along the way. Maintenance creates a kind of boost for the system. Regular maintenance can reduce the number and intensity of repairs.
• Replace the air filter, a crucial improvement for the entire system. A dirty, clogged filter will reduce the airflow through the unit, reduce the system’s efficiency, and negatively impact the indoor air quality. This is an extremely important step, and it should be repeated quarterly.
• Constant use will reduce the energy efficiency of these systems, but regular maintenance will give efficiency a boost as well. The air conditioner might not regain the efficiency of a new system, but it will make a measurable difference, discernible by comparing utility bills year-to-year.
• Maintenance improves comfort and health for the entire family. Improved efficiency reduces the possibility of hot spots or difficulty keeping up with extreme temperatures. It also improves indoor air quality, keeping family members healthier.

What a Professional Looks for During an AC Maintenance Inspection

What is involved with an AC maintenance inspection that is so important to the air conditioning and heating system? Each component is inspected individually.

• The electrical system is inspected thoroughly. Connections are tightened and inspected. Some control mechanisms, such as capacitors and sensors, weaken over time and jeopardize proper function. Localized weakness can create a cascade of weakening with other electrical parts.
• The ultimate ON/OFF switch, the thermostat is battery-powered, and the batteries need to be replaced regularly. Occasionally, a thermostat will need to be recalibrated to ensure the timeliness of heating and cooling cycles.
• The refrigerant level will be checked, a very important component of air conditioners and heat pumps. The pressure level of refrigerant gas must be maintained within a narrow range. Loss of pressure will reduce or curtail the cooling/heating function. It can also cause major damage to vital (and expensive) components.
• There are two major components that need to be cleaned annually: the outdoor condenser unit and the indoor evaporator coil. 
  • The refrigerant has collected heat from inside the home and needs to release heat into the atmosphere. The condenser walls are composed of tubes and fins, designed to conduct heat energy. Pollen, dust, dirt, and debris collect on the tubes and fins, preventing the ready transfer of heat. The reverse is true indoors. 
  • The refrigerant inside is cool, attracting that heat to be carried outdoors. Dirt, dust, dander, and other airborne particles collect on this coil and reduce the transfer of heat. Simple soap and water are generally enough to clean the offending particles away, a necessary task in AC maintenance.
• There are a few moving parts with an air conditioner, but our technician can inspect the blower motor belt and lube accessible bearings.

Prepare for Fall with AC Maintenance From Mullinix AC and Heating

Investing in professional AC maintenance is the single best way to protect your home’s comfort system and your family’s well-being. By addressing small issues before they become major problems, you extend the life of your unit, improve its energy efficiency, and ensure a healthier living environment. Make fall AC maintenance from Mullinix AC and Heating a non-negotiable part of your annual routine and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a system that works as hard as you do.

For more information about R.M. Mullinix and our AC maintenance College Station, schedule an appointment or visit our AC repair and maintenance information page.