As summer is about to make itself known in some areas in the country, Burnaby residents are bringing the air conditioner out of hibernation, and the furnace is being stowed away. It’s wise before switching the AC on and turning the furnace off to have an inspection of each.
As a homeowner, you want to ensure the air conditioning is free of defects and damages. The best way to do that is to reach out to your Burnaby HVAC Contractor to schedule preventive maintenance tune-ups.
By keeping the AC and furnace adequately maintained, the performance will be optimized, longevity will be extended, and the utility costs will remain steady. No one wants to turn the HVAC system on for the summer only to discover problems when temperatures are at their highest.
Defects, damages, worn or broken parts can be corrected while the weather is still reasonable, and the system can be down for a bit while a part is ordered. Consider these suggestions on other care and upkeep to be handled before the extreme of summer settles in.
How Should A Burnaby Homeowner Prepare The HVAC System For Summer
Burnaby residents are reaching out to their HVAC repair contractors for preventive maintenance as spring is beginning to turn into summer. The furnace will gradually give way to the air conditioning, each needing to be tuned up. Go here for details on finding the best Burnaby repair company.
It’s unwise to turn on the air conditioner and start using it regularly without having it first inspected after a long winter of nonuse. Routine maintenance should be performed at least once per year to ensure greater efficiency and extended longevity.
The repair contractor will inspect the system to find any defects or damages plus replace worn or broken parts, clean the system, change filters, charge and test it before giving you instructions on care and upkeep between service calls for performance optimization. Some things to be noted include.
1. The air filters
The air filters are crucial to the adequate functionality of the air conditioning. These assist with blocking debris, particles, and dust from collecting on the equipment’s inner elements and help to purify the circulating air as it’s cooled.
When these are clogged, and the AC unit is forced to try to push through the congested material, it creates stress for the unit, which can lead to malfunctioning. These filters must be replaced roughly every 30 days, but more frequently once they become a deep gray color.
That means checking them routinely to ensure they’re clear, especially if you’re in an area with a significant level of pollen or dust or live with pets and individuals with respiratory concerns.
Learn easy steps to keep your AC running smoothly at https://www.housesumo.com/tips-keep-air-conditioning-running-smoothly/.
2. Foul smells or odd noises
When the air conditioner gives red flags, these are somewhat concise, like foul smells or odd sounds, things out of the ordinary telling you there’s a problem. Instead of believing these will work themselves out, contacting an HVAC contractor to inspect the system is vital.
These could be minor defects or damages or possibly a loose part, but having general HVAC maintenance to have these corrected at this stage means saving the problem from becoming a serious issue down the road and much more costly to fix at that time.
3. The compressor should be checked routinely
The air conditioning compressor is the cooling system’s central component. The part enables the unit to follow the cooling process by transferring refrigerant from the evaporator to the condenser coils and back.
The compressor can develop exceptional wear and has the possibility for electrical problems with time. Having a routine check of this part alone is wise since malfunctioning or replacing this piece is costly, with some choosing to replace the entire system instead of this part alone.
4. The coils should remain free of dust
Condenser and evaporator coils should remain free of dirt, debris, and dust. These allow heat absorption by the air conditioning system and cooling of the area.
The indoor unit houses the evaporator coil, which absorbs the air’s heat, while the outside unit holds the condenser coil, which releases this heat outdoors. As time passes, these coils get a build-up of grime and dust, creating insulation and leading to their eventual malfunction.
The outdoor coils can be gently washed down with a garden hose, trying to avoid bending the delicate aluminum fins. Ideally, it’s better to have this service performed with preventive maintenance as the HVAC contractor can make fast, easy work of the cleanup.
5. The outdoor unit should be free of debris, clutter, and foliage
The unit outside needs to have roughly 2-3 feet of space surrounding it that’s clear of any clutter, debris, plantings, tree roots, and things that will disturb its adequate functionality.
If you have grass grown around it, trim it back, and plants growing close to the system should be spaced back away from it at least 2 feet. It’s a good idea to have the unit sitting level on a concrete pad instead of placed on uneven soil.
Remove debris, loose twigs, leaves, and other particles that get into the workings.
The same goes for the furnace where it’s located; there should be a clearing surrounding the system by at least 3 feet. No boxes or other clutter should be stacked up around it, even when it’s been turned off for the season.
The repair contractor should have easy access at all times. Plus, it’s wise to be in the habit of keeping the area free regardless of whether the furnace is functioning.
Final Thought
Residents in Burnaby are getting ready to open up their air conditioners for the summer and close down the furnace. Click for guidance on AC care and upkeep tips for summer.
At this time of year, preventive maintenance with a professional HVAC contractor is vital to ensure no defects or damages for either system, worn or broken parts that need to be repaired, cleaning of the units, basic annual tune-ups.
Air conditioning should only be started if it’s been thoroughly checked over and tested by an expert. Then you’ll be officially ready for those dog days of summer.
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