Costly air conditioning disasters and how to avoid them

One of the best ways to prevent an air conditioning breakdown is to ensure that proper maintenance is performed in a timely fashion. Prevention is key to avoiding an air conditioning emergency. Here are seven maintenance tips that can help you avoid AC emergencies and costly repairs.

1) Clean outside coils twice per year. Dirt buildup can cause the system to work harder than it should. The outside coils should be cleaned before start-up, and then again just before the peak of the cooling season.

2) Inspect the compressor motor starter. If any of the electrical contacts are corroded or deteriorated, they should be replaced immediately. Don’t wait until they fail on a hot summer day when service companies are busiest!

3) Check refrigerant charge. If the system has ever been serviced for low refrigerant, it’s likely to need continuous upkeep. Make sure all leaks have been identified and repaired.

4) Check for leaks. Leaks can not only affect the operation of the air conditioner, but they are harmful to the environment. Additives are available for refrigerant to make leaks easier to detect.

5) Clean evaporators. Make sure air flow is not obstructed and that the air filters are changed regularly.

6) Protect electrical equipment. Install surge-protection. Also, install a programmable thermostat to delay the compressor from restarting immediately after turning off, which can lead to burning out.

7) Pay attention to the way your system operates. Any change in normal operation is a warning sign. Call a technician if you notice any changes in noise, water spots, temperature, etc.

Preventative maintenance is essential to avoiding air conditioning breakdowns and extending the life of the system. Additionally, a properly maintained system runs much more efficiently.

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