8 Step A/C Unit Inspection and Tune Up

While we get busy enjoying Spring, we all know that change in the weather means summer is coming — and coming in hot!

You'll soon be seeking relief from the heat that only your Central Air Conditioning can provide, and you'll want it to work its cooling magic not only the first time you need it, but every time you switch it on this summer. One of the most essential aspects of AC upkeep is professional inspection and tune-up of the unit and there's no better time to do it than now!

Here's the 8 step process we will follow to ensure your HVAC systems are ready to serve you all summer:

Clean Condenser Coil: During the summer, air conditioners are subjected to a lot of use, and one of the components that can make or break your power bill is A/C coils. The number one enemy of your air conditioning unit is dust and dirt buildup on the coils, which affects heat transfer over them. Cleaning the area around the coil, removing any debris, and trimming foliage back at least 2 feet (0.6 meters) allow for adequate airflow around the condenser. (Energy.gov, 2022)

By changing your air filter every four months and cleaning the condenser coils, you may avoid greater energy expenses and the necessity to replace your A/C unit altogether.

Clean Evaporator Coil: The evaporator coils are located within the inner portion of the AC unit and are responsible for removing heat and humidity from the air inside your space. It may appear that air conditioners are only intended to provide chilly air in your home, but they also remove heat and moisture from current air.

Cleaning your evaporator coils is as simple as following the AC unit's instructions. In most situations, a seasonal tune-up will suffice. Since Texas summers are rough on your HVACs, you may want to have your evaporator coil cleaned twice a year.

Clean AC Filters: The most crucial upkeep procedure for your air conditioner is to change or clean the filters on a regular basis. Filters that are clogged, and dusty reduce the quantity of air that passes through them and decrease system efficiency significantly.

When airflow is blocked, air may bypass the filter and deposit dirt directly into the evaporator coil, causing damage to the compressor and necessitating a complete AC unit replacement. It also impairs the coil's heat-absorbing capacity. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%. (Energy.gov, 2022)

Clean Condensate Drain Lines: This is a huge reason why many units fail. One of the most essential parts of your HVAC system is the condensate line. It does several tasks, but none is more essential to the operation of your appliance than removing extra moisture outside of your property.

An ineffective HVAC system is the most telling sign that your condensate line is clogged. The majority of new AC units have automated shut-off technology that springs into action when water backs up. If your air conditioner keeps turning on and off but does not do enough to cool your home, you might have a problem. It's difficult to tell whether a pipe is blocked unless you have experience. Because most clogs occur inside walls, it's hard to spot them.

Check Thermostat: The thermostat keeps the right temperature in the air conditioning system. Unless the AC is set at the proper level, the various air conditioning components won't operate effectively. As a result, the thermostat is extremely crucial and regulates the AC's temperature.

It's not difficult to troubleshoot thermostat issues once you figure out where the issue is and how to repair it. Thermostats, whether electronic or mechanical, will function properly and as they should for comfort after regular maintenance and light cleaning.

Ensure Proper Electrical Connections: Wires that are loose or damaged between your thermostat, outdoor unit, and power source might cause your system to fail or stop functioning when you need it most. It's wise to inspect and tighten all connections to make sure that your HVAC equipment is receiving the right amount of electricity.

Measure voltage and amperages on motors: Checking the AMP Draw is important in HVAC for troubleshooting or testing for a potential problem. A home air conditioner will be equipped to operate on either a conventional 120 volt circuit or, if it's a high-powered model, on a 240V line. The amperage rating of each 120V circuit in your house is between 15 and 20 amps, whereas the amperage rating for each 240V circuit is 30 amps. If you draw more amps than the circuit is rated for, it will trip the circuit breaker.

Test Refrigerant Levels: When it comes to maintaining your air conditioner, one of the most crucial things an HVAC specialist can accomplish is test the refrigerant levels. Here is how refrigerants work:

Refrigeration is what actually chills the indoor air in a process known as phase conversion when liquid converts to gas. Air conditioners use this to their advantage by forcing chemical compounds known as refrigerants to repeatedly condense over its coils. As the fans move hot interior air over the evaporator coils, an expansion valve regulates the flow of refrigerant that goes through. The refrigerant then absorbs the heat and changes it from liquid to gas (phase conversion process). To keep things cool, the air conditioner’s centrifugal compressor uses high pressure to change the refrigerant gas back to its liquid state. It basically crams the refrigerant particles together into a smaller space creating the thermal energy that is essential for chilling. (Summit College, 2021)

In addition, it’s possible that leaks can develop in the refrigerant lines. Should either of these happen, your air conditioner won’t work as effectively as it should, and you may find yourself sweating through the hottest part of summer.

What Texas Comfort Solutions Offers You

Texas Comfort Solutions is focused and committed to giving you expert HVAC services at a fair price. We’re a local veteran and family-owned business dedicated to treating you and your home with care, respect, and integrity. Our team of reliable and experienced technicians has been repairing, maintaining, and installing HVAC systems in the Houston area since 2004.

Whether you’re looking for a system check-up or a completely new system upgrade, we’re here to help you with all your air conditioning and heating needs. To get in touch with us, visit https://www.txcomsol.com/ or call us at (832) 597-4191.

Work Cited

1. Maintaining your air conditioner. Energy.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/maintaining-your-air-conditioner

2. How refrigerants work in the HVAC system. Summit College. (2021, July 21). Retrieved March 28, 2022, from https://summitcollege.edu/how-refrigerants-work-in-the-hvac-system/