Air Conditioning Services – Maintenance and Repair

Spring and summer are just around the corner which means turning the heat off and switching over to AC. Before you do that, you want to make sure your AC is ready to go and working properly. Every year when switching over to your cooling system, you should have a professional provide air conditioning services to avoid problems during the season. That being said, there are certain steps you can take to make sure your air conditioning system is well maintained. For your safety, make sure your cooling system is turned off before attempting to clean it.

There are different cooling systems throughout different homes. First, we will discuss maintenance for central air cooling systems.

The Evaporator

Depending on your cooling system, the evaporator might not be accessible to you. If it is, it’s good to clean it at least once a year. It should be located directly above the furnace in the plenum. If it is inside a metal box, do not attempt to clean it.  If it is wrapped in foil then it is okay to clean. First carefully remove the foil and tape. Then you should see an access plate. Remove this plate and clean the entire underside of the evaporator.

After you’ve done this, clean the tray below the unit. You’ll want to pour one tablespoon of bleach in the weep hole in the tray in order to avoid fungus growth. Once all this is complete, reconstruction the unit, put it back in place and reseal the foil. Then turn the cooling system on to check for air leaks. If air is getting through the foil, add more duct tape to seal.

The Condenser

For most cooling systems, the condenser is located outside the house. This means it is exposed to many elements that are out of your control. That is why it is very important to clean it before using your cooling system. The part of the condenser that you’re going to clean is the coil but you need to clean the part of the coil that is on the intake from the fan inside the condenser. To know which side of the coil that is, start your cooling system to see which way to turns. Be sure to turn the system back off before cleaning.

First, cut down any grass or weeds that have grown around the condenser. Once you have access to the coil, clean it with commercial coil cleaner. You can find the cleaner at refrigerator supply stores. Then rinse the coil with some water but do not use the hose then let the coil dry. Then with a soft brush, carefully clean the fins remove dust. Do not use any water on the fins because if there is dirt on the fins, water will make mud build up. The fins are very delicate and can be damaged easily so be careful.

The Refrigerant

You should not attempt to maintain the refrigerant. If you think there is a problem with your refrigerant, you should call a professional for help. To identify a problem with the refrigerant, inspect the lines running between the evaporator and condenser. If there are any tears or they look worn, you could have a problem with your refrigerant. Call a professional for help handling and maintaining your refrigerant.

Throughout Ocean and Monmouth Counties there are many apartment buildings and communities that use small air condition units. Here are some tips on maintaining window air conditioning units.

Filter

A clean filter is important to keep your AC running correctly. You should clean the filter at the beginning of the cooling season and throughout the season at least once a month. Cleaning the filter is easy. Simply remove the front grille and clean or replace the filter. Many window unit ACs have a washable filter that can be cleaned and returned to the unit. When cleaning the filter use a mild detergent and water. Make sure the filter is completely dry before returning it to the AC.

Evaporator and Condenser Coils

As with the filter, your cleaning schedule for the evaporator and the condenser should be at the beginning of the season and at least once a month throughout the season. If these elements seem to be collecting a lot of dust, clean them more often. These parts can be easily cleaned with a vacuum to remove dust and particles.

The Switch and Power Cord

These items can both cause problems for your air conditioning unit if they are not working properly.

The selector switch is found behind the control panel and its function is to turn the unit on. If the air conditioner is plugged in but is not running when the switch is on, the switch could be damaged. Check the switch by removing the control panel and locating the switch. Look for burnt insulation or burn marks on the terminals. If you see any signs of burning, replace the switch with a new one of the same type.

Power cords can easily become damaged and worn after some time. If everything seems okay with the selector switch, your cord may be the problem. Examine it and if it looks damaged, replace it.

Cooling season is just around the corner. Whether you have central air or a simple window unit, make sure everything is clean and ready to run. Do not attempt any repairs yourself – call a professional for help and to get your air condition maintenance taken care of. Jersey Coast Appliance has been performing air conditioning services in Ocean and Monmouth counties for years so we’re ready to get you up and running for the cooling season. Give us a call and schedule an appointment today.