Will spring roar in like a lion and out like a lamb this year? We can only hope that we don’t end up with the spring floods we had last year. We hope you are enjoying the budding trees and sprouting blooms.

Now is the perfect time to schedule your A/C Spring Check Up.

Why? Because the fluctuating and moderate temperatures in March allow us to make sure your system is running before the heat of the summer kicks in. Checkups help extend the life of your system, keeping everything in tip-top shape, which in the long-run saves you thousands.

It’s a good idea to do them twice a year, both in the fall and in the spring. That way you’re not without heat in the winter or A/C in the summer and your systems are running efficiently!

Running at top efficiency is also going to keep your heating and cooling bills lower. Like changing the oil in your car, if you neglect to do the task, soon your engine oil is sludgy and your engine won’t run efficiently.

With regular checkups, in the long run, you will have fewer repairs! There will be fewer times you will have emergencies. Think about it, if there was a simple belt issue that could have been caught during a checkup there would be fewer panicked worries about how to cover the cost of replacing the entire system.

Let’s talk safety. Checkups are important to catch possible safety concerns. A crack in the heat exchanger can release carbon monoxide, silently poisoning your air. Even a short circuit can lead to a fire if it goes unchecked.

Here is a brief breakdown of some of the things we do when we perform a check of your system.

• Check the thermostat: Our tech makes sure the thermostat is calibrated correctly to ensure comfort in every season.
• Tighten electrical connections: Loose connections are dangerous and can cause improper operation that shortens the equipment’s lifespan.
• Lubricate all moving parts: Lack of lubrication causes high amounts of friction in the system. This can cause it to overheat and break down.
• Inspect the condensate drain: Over time sludge or algae can form in the drain pipe and create a blockage. During times of high usage, the drain pan may overflow and cause water damage to the equipment or your home.
• Check system controls: The start cycle, operation, and shut-off sequence should occur in a particular fashion. Our technician will check the controls to make sure everything is operating safely and properly.
• Clean and adjust the blower: Issues with the blower can decrease equipment efficiency by up to 15 percent.
• Clean the evaporator and condenser coils (cooling specific): Soiled coils slowly decrease efficiency and make the equipment run longer.
• Check refrigerant charge (cooling specific): If the air conditioner was charged too high at installation, you could be paying much more than necessary to cool your home.
• Check fuel line connections (heating specific): Poor gas or oil connections are a fire hazard. They can also cause health problems if fumes are able to escape into your home. Tightening the connections ensures safe operation.
• Inspect the gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger (heating specific): Incorrect pressure, a dirty burner or a cracked heat exchanger can result in improper burner operation.

You too can do a few things on your own to increase efficiency and extend the life of your unit.

• Change the air filter every month. Some units have an indicator light that tells you when the filter is beginning to become clogged and blocking airflow.
• Remove debris from around the outdoor unit.
• Hose down the outdoor unit when dirt begins to accumulate on it.
• Trim back foliage to at least 18 inches from the outdoor unit.
• Keep supply and return registers unblocked by drapes, rugs or furniture.

These simple steps can help you save money, not to mention saving wear and tear on your system. We would love the opportunity to extend the life of your A/C unit by doing your Spring Check Up! Give us a call today.