Air conditioning service involves tests, checks and calibration of equipment that pumps and distributes cool or warm air throughout the home. The equipment uses a special liquid called refrigerant which changes from a gas to a liquid and back again continuously.

Air Conditioning Service

It is important to service air conditioning because it detects small issues before they become complex problems. Air conditioners that are not regularly serviced may experience refrigerant leakage. Contact Air Conditioning Service Provo UT for professional help.

Your air conditioning system doesn’t just cool your home; it also controls humidity by condensing moisture from the evaporator coil and shutting it outside through a drain line tube. Over time, this condensation can collect inside the drain line and create a build-up of mold and mildew, fungus, bacteria and algae. These contaminants can eventually clog the line, leading to elevated humidity levels and water damage in your home. As part of a routine maintenance tune-up, your HVAC technician will clear the air conditioner drain line of these contaminants and prevent them from building up.

Keeping your air conditioner drain line clean is easy to do with some common household items. First, locate the drain line. It’s an inch-long PVC pipe located outside your home, near the outdoor AC unit. It should lead directly to a drain pan. Before starting, it’s a good idea to have a few dry rags on hand in case there is any standing water in the pan.

Next, turn off your air conditioner to avoid potential electrical shock or damage. The breaker box switch associated with your air conditioning should be set to “off.”

When the system is turned off, locate the drain line plug. Remove it and carefully clean any visible debris from the drain line’s opening. Be careful not to push the blockage further down, as this can make it more difficult to remove later on. After removing any visible debris, pour in a cup of distilled vinegar. The acidity of the vinegar will kill off any algae that may be clogging the line. Replace the drain line plug and wait about half an hour before turning on your air conditioner again.

While cleaning your AC drain line is relatively simple, you should have a qualified professional service technician perform it at least once every five years to prevent the formation of a build-up that could cause serious problems. A professional will also ensure that the drain line is pitched properly to keep water flowing out as intended. This prevents the risk of a clog that could cost you thousands in water damage repairs down the road.

Check and Tighten Electrical Connections

Most air conditioning systems use a lot of electrical power. That’s why the system’s electrical connections need to be tight and well-maintained. If a wire connection becomes loose, it can heat up and start to burn. This is a serious fire hazard, and it’s also not good for the equipment. This is why regular maintenance checks that include inspections of these connections are so important.

Many electrical problems that occur around the house can be traced to loose or incorrect wiring connections. In some cases, these problems are the result of poor workmanship by previous owners or electricians, and in other cases, they’re simply a natural part of everyday usage. Wires are constantly under a cycle of heating and cooling, expansion and contraction, which causes them to loosen over time.

The best way to check and tighten electrical connections is with a tool called a voltmeter. These handy tools can quickly let you know whether a connection is properly tightened or not. However, to really ensure that a connection is tight, you need to take the time to actually inspect and retighten it. This is what professional technicians do as part of their regular service calls.

During these inspections, they’ll examine the blower motor and fan blades, the air handler or furnace (depending on the type of system), the evaporator coils, the safety controls and the electrical connections. In addition, they’ll test the breaker to see if it is working correctly. If the breaker is still switched on after it should be off, that’s an indication of a problem and should be corrected right away.

The professional will look for hot spots that indicate high resistance, which could be caused by looseness, corrosion or oxidation. The infrared imager can help the technician spot these issues, as they will appear warmest on the screen. In most cases, simply retightening the connections will resolve the issue; however, in some instances, the wires may need to be removed, cleaned and reconnected with an appropriate connector. It’s a good idea to use a value that is 10% lower than the specified torque, as applying too much force can damage equipment.

Lubricate Moving Parts

The moving parts on awnings, retracting stairs, and vents are subject to friction from heat and rust as they move. The friction causes wear, reducing their life and performance. Lubricants reduce friction by creating a film between surfaces, allowing them to glide against each other without direct contact. They also transfer heat away from the surfaces, extending their working life.

We use grease lubrication, which is applied to the moving part’s surface. We apply it generously to keep the part from rubbing against itself or other parts, and we also put it on the contact points where friction can occur. It’s important to lubricate these moving parts during air conditioning service because they will break down faster if they aren’t lubricated regularly. They will also become brittle in low temperatures.

Clean the Ductwork

During routine air conditioner maintenance, a technician inspects and, if necessary, cleans the ductwork that forces conditioned air through your home. Ducts are typically made of fiberglass, flexible plastics or metals. They may be round, oval or rectangular in shape. They take in air from outside or blow conditioned air into the room through vents located at floor and ceiling registers. During the service, a technician may also repair any leaks or kinks in the ductwork, as well as clean or replace the furnace fan and the filter.

Despite what you might have heard, there’s little evidence that cleaning ducts alone makes any noticeable difference in your indoor air quality. The dust that settles in your ductwork stays there, unlikely to become airborne unless it’s stirred up by cleaning equipment. Further, the type of dust that accumulates in ductwork – primarily household dust and dirt – is not toxic or particularly harmful.

Some service providers claim that their duct-cleaning process removes biological growth from inside your ductwork. They might demonstrate this by showing you a settling plate that contains microorganisms. However, any microbial growth found on such plates is normal and does not necessarily represent a health risk.

Before deciding whether to have your ducts cleaned, make sure that the technicians are using specialized equipment that can reach far into your vents. It’s also important that the service technicians are experienced. If your ducts are lined with insulation, for instance, the technician should know not to tear or puncture it. If you have flexible ducts, they should be careful not to damage their fragile inner layer of thin plastic.

The best way to minimize duct contamination is to schedule regular preventive maintenance visits. In addition to cleaning or replacing the filter, your technician will check and lubricate all moving parts, and will repair any problems that they find. They will also ensure that the air conditioner is properly grounded, which helps prevent electric shock hazards. This routine preventive maintenance helps keep your system running efficiently and reduces the chances of a breakdown during a hot or cold snap.