Air Conditioner Spring Start-up Maintenance Check List
Before you start your air conditioner up for the coming cooling season there should be a maintenance check of the HVAC system to ensure everything will work properly on start-up and throughout the air conditioner cooling season. Many people just turn the thermostat to the cool setting and turn the temperature setting low on their air conditioner thermostat. While the system may start and give you excellent cooling for the season this is risky so it is important to make sure that all the components are working properly as the system is started. A few pre-checks and a little air conditioner maintenance will give you a better chance of not having any problems with your air conditioning system for the upcoming air conditioner cooling season.
This will take approximately two hours to complete for a novice do it yourselfer. It is recommended that you call a professional HVAC air conditioning contractor to make these checks and perform this air conditioning maintenance as they have HVAC air conditioning technicians with all the air conditioner diagnostic and testing tools along with air conditioning training and experience to make sure the job is done right.
The first thing and most obvious which is commonly ignored by many people throughout the year is the air filter. The filter should be changed on a regular basis. If the system is equipped with an electronic air cleaner now is the time for the semi-annual maintenance which should include cleaning the cells of the electronic air cleaner. Air flow is very important for the proper function of the air conditioner. At the very opposite end of the air filter at the return is the supply air vents. It is a good time to go ahead and check all these vents or diffusers to make sure they are open. Closed supply vents or diffusers will have the same effect as a dirty air filter.
No, this is not the step when you go to the thermostat yet but we are getting close to setting it to cool and turning the system on. The next thing we want to do before turning the thermostat to cool is to take a look at the condenser outside. First check to make sure that there is nothing obstructing the coils like trash, trash cans, children's toys or anything else which may restrict the air flow around the unit. You can also take a look at the condensing unit fan blade. There should be a safety grille over the condenser fan blade to prevent injury or accidents and also keep foreign debris from obstructing the blade. Take a look and make sure no sticks or anything else which will keep the condensing unit blade from turning properly. Note, if there is something obstructing the condensing unit fan blade it is recommended that you call a professional to remove it. If you do decide to remove it yourself make sure all the power to the condensing is turned off before proceeding as the condensing unit fan blade is a moving part and can cause serious injury. Additionally make sure the condensing unit safety grille is reinstalled correctly and securely. An HVAC professional can ensure that the job is done quickly, safely, and efficiently.
When checking the condensing unit the coils should also be checked. It is recommended the coils be washed. It is also recommended that an HVAC professional also do this job. Condensing units contain electrical components with both high voltage and low voltage. Water in the wrong place of the condensing unit can cause serious injury or damage to the condensing unit. If you do decide to wash the coils out make sure the condensing unit power is off and also be very careful where the water is sprayed. Allow most of the water to drain away from the condensing unit before restoring the power. Again, it is recommended that an HVAC professional do this work.
Now it's time to go to the thermostat and turn the system on. One note before turning the thermostat on. If you hire an HVAC professional to perform this spring start-up the entire system can be checked out. Detailed analysis can be performed such as opening the cabinet (only recommended for an HVAC professional) and checking all the electrical connections, checking system pressures for loss of refrigerant charge, and taking amperage readings on all the electrical motors and compressor to ensure all readings are normal. The air handler condensation drain can be checked and blown so it won't clog up and leak. By having an HVAC expert perform these tasks on your air conditioning system future potential problems can be averted and interruption in service can be avoided. The first hot day of the year is usually the busiest day of the year for air conditioning service companies. If you have already had an HVAC technician start the system you know you won't be one of the people waiting in line for a repair. Now, turn the thermostat on and check to make sure there is air flow. Good airflow coming from the vents assures the air handler blower is working properly and the duct system and air handler have unobstructed airflow.
Now go outside and check to make sure the condensing unit is running including the condensing unit fan blade. If the condensing unit fan blade is not turning and blowing air up from the condensing unit turn the system off immediately and call an HVAC professional. It is possible that a small component change out will solve the problem instead of replacing the motor.
If the condensing unit is running well it is time to go back inside and check to make sure the air coming from the supply vents and diffusers is cold. If the air is not cold you need to call an HVAC professional. Cold is determined by taking the temperature of the air conditioner return and the temperature of the air conditioner supply and subtracting the supply temperature from the return temperature. This is called the delta T temperature and it should be between 12 degrees Fahrenheit to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperatures are outside of this range you need to call a professional. Lower than 12 degrees Fahrenheit and the system will not be able to keep up on the hottest days and high than 20 degrees and the system has a serious problem or the air conditioning system is oversized which can cause big problems.
A proper spring air conditioner start up procedure can potentially avert a disaster from occur and make you comfortable from day one. Increased air conditioner preventive maintenance also increases reliability and dependability. it is always recommended that you call a professional HVAC contractor to handle your air conditioning preventive maintenance and service. They will send an air conditioning technician to check over your systems and ensure everything is ready for a hot, muggy summer. A proper start-up for your air conditioner system is a wise thing to do in the spring. Call your local heating and air conditioning contractor today to have your air conditioning preventive maintenance done so you will have a comfortable and worry free summer.
Good video about preventive maintenance. This guy talks about some technical things concerning refrigerant pressures and how they relate to keeping the coils clean.
