Spring is here, so summer's not too far away. After a tough winter here in the Ft. Wayne area, you know that your HVAC system has been working extra hard to keep your house warm. With hot weather on the way in the next couple of months, you’ll soon be seeking the comfort of your air conditioner. That's why there's no time like the present to schedule seasonal maintenance on your A/C system.
Maintenance You Can Do Yourself
First, you'll want to inspect your A/C's air filter. It's likely the filter is in your furnace, since in most Northern HVAC systems the furnace blower also serves as the air conditioner blower. If the air filter looks dirty or clogged, change it. Then get in the habit of inspecting it every month throughout the cooling season, changing it when necessary. Dust buildup on the filter screen restricts airflow into your A/C. When this happens, your air conditioning has to work harder to cool your home, putting extra strain on the blower motor and compressor, while wasting energy. Proper air filter maintenance is an essential part of seasonal maintenance on your A/C.
You'll also want to do a thorough inspection of all the seals around your doors and windows. Air leaks allow warm outside air to infiltrate your home, forcing your A/C to work harder to compensate and costing you ample money in the long-run. Apply caulk to seal leaks in stationary parts of windows and other gaps in your home's exterior envelope, and use weatherstripping to seal around areas that need to open and close, like doors and window sashes.
Professional Maintenance
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program recommends seasonal maintenance in the spring and the fall, which is why now's the right time to schedule an HVAC contractor for a maintenance tuneup on your A/C. A qualified technician should perform the following tasks:
- Check the system thermostat settings.
- Inspect and tighten electrical connections.
- Lubricate all moving parts as required in the unit specifications.
- Inspect the condensate drain for blockages.
- Check of all system controls.
- Check the refrigerant level, and adjust if necessary; if the level is low, he should check for a leak.
Hartman Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning has more than 50 years of servicing Ft. Wayne homeowners' air conditioning needs. Contact us for more information on scheduling a seasonal maintenance check on your A/C.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about seasonal maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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