Columbus Air Conditioning Maintenance

Maintenance tune-ups eliminate the issues that restrict system performance and in turn, system energy efficiency. With these issues out of the way, your air conditioner or heat pump operates with higher energy efficiency for the season.

An air conditioner tune-up eliminates dust, dirt, and other contaminants hiding within your cooling equipment. When these particles are removed, there’s no risk of them circulating back into your home with the air supply, so your family benefits from cleaner air. Maintenance steps such as coil cleaning and condensate drain system cleaning can remove any mold growing in the system and prevent its growth, protecting your household from potentially hazardous exposure.

HVAC system manufacturers require professional maintenance on an annual basis to preserve their equipment warranties. If you skip a tune-up, your warranty may not cover expensive repairs later on. Invest in professional maintenance to make sure your warranty covers you as expected.

Better energy efficiency means your air conditioner or heat pump doesn’t need as much energy to do its job. As a result, your electricity bills won’t be as high. The savings maintenance generates on energy costs can pay for a tune-up over the year!

Maintenance tune-ups keep cooling system components in good shape so they are less likely to break down due to damage. A trained eye on your system during maintenance creates an opportunity to spot system flaws in the beginning stages for early correction. Air conditioner maintenance helps prevent system breakdowns and associated repair calls and fees.

Air conditioners last an average of 10 to 15 years; heat pumps average around 10 to 12 years. With regular maintenance, it’s possible for cooling systems to last even longer. Annual maintenance over the years can keep your cooling unit in service longer, so you don’t have to purchase a new system sooner than you’d planned to.

Maintenance is beneficial any time of year. Ideally, you want to schedule your tune-up prior to time to start up the system for the season – but if you don’t get around to it, do not skip it for the year! We recommend you schedule air conditioning maintenance tune-ups in the spring, and heating tune-ups in the fall. These are the times of year when you won’t have to wait as long and your system will be ready to go when the weather changes.

There are many steps performed during an air conditioner tune-up. Buckeye Heating, Cooling & Plumbing delivers comprehensive maintenance care for air conditioners and heat pumps, including:

• Test Controls Function
• Calibrate Thermostat and Test Operation
• Tighten Electrical Connections
• Clean Drain Pan and Condensate Line
• Lubricate Bearings and Moving Parts
• Clean Indoor and Outdoor Coils
• Measure Refrigerant Charge
• Check Air Filter

Air conditioning maintenance tune-ups are quite affordable, usually running under $100. At this price, you can’t afford not to schedule a tune-up! The savings and warranty protection provided can more than cover the cost of your annual tune-ups.

Whatever you do, don’t skip your air conditioner tune-up for the year! If you do, it may invalidate your manufacturer’s equipment warranty, as most producers of HVAC equipment require annual tune-up service performed by a licensed professional for their units. Skipping a tune-up means your system won’t be as efficient, its performance won’t be as reliable, and wear and tear damage can build up faster to cause repair issues.

Professional tune-ups aren’t the only care your air conditioner or heat pump needs during the year. Between tune-ups, take the following steps to maintain and care for your cooling system:

• Keep the outdoor unit clean and free of debris. Brush away leaves, grass, mulch, and other debris that gather on the fins. Remove weeds and vines growing up around the unit from its base. Prune back shrubs to keep at least two feet of clear space surrounding the unit. Remove any outdoor items stored near your unit.
  
  
• Check the air filter monthly and change it as needed. Note you may need to replace the filter more often during the summer and winter, as the HVAC system is more heavily used during these times. If you are unsure whether you should replace the filter or not, hold it up to a light – if light shines through, it has life left; if you cannot see any light through the layer of contaminants, replace the filter with a fresh one and throw the old filter away.