AC maintenance: how often should you have your AC serviced?

Did you know that June 2019 was the hottest June on record ever?

With such extreme temperatures, it’s important you keep your house cool this summer. In order to do so, it’s key you maintain your AC unit in top shape.

If you don’t know how often to perform AC maintenance, you came to the right place. Read on to learn more.

Coils

Most AC units have two coils that help the unit work properly – an evaporator coil and a condenser coil. The evaporator coil absorbs the heat and cools the air that passes through the refrigerant.

After the air passes through the refrigerant, it absorbs the heat. The condenser coil takes the hot air and sends it outside the home.

Both coils have to work together to ensure the unit functions properly.

If excess dirt collects over time, the coils can overheat and cause severe issues. In order to maintain the coils in great shape, it’s important to have them serviced at least once a year.

Coil Fins

Most AC unit coils are either copper, steel, or aluminium due to their ability to conduct heat easily. Therefore, most coils have a protective layer of aluminium fins, which are extremely fragile.

If these fins bend, they can restrict airflow and the units won’t work as it should.

In order to protect the coil, you need to ensure the fins are in great shape. Inspecting the fins every season will ensure the coils remain in excellent shape.

Filters

AC air filters are fibreglass, pleated paper, or cloth materials often enclosed in a frame made of cardboard. The sole purpose of the filters is to trap particles and other contaminants that can affect your health. Some of the most common contaminants include pollen, dust, dirt, fur, hair, and other bacteria.

Because air filters are constantly trapping dust and other particles, they require more maintenance than other parts of the unit. When you don’t change the filters often, the efficiency of your unit will drop.

You can expect to see higher than usual energy bills since your unit will have to work twice as hard.

If you have pets, you should change the filter every two weeks. Otherwise, you can change the filter once a month.

Compressors

In an AC unit, the compressor is the heart of the operation. The job of the compressor is to circulate the refrigerant through the coils and ensure there is sufficient energy to keep it working.

If your compressor starts to malfunction, you could run into serious issues. Those who live in warmer climates put extra stress on the compressor daily. Not to mention, dust and grime also build up inside the compressor.

To keep it from always working properly, this HVAC company recommends an expert to take a look at the compressor once a season.

How Often to Perform AC Maintenance

Now that you know how often to perform AC maintenance, you’re on to a great start. Remember, each of the AC unit components has an important role, so you need to ensure they get regular maintenance at least once a year.

If you found these tips helpful, check out the rest of our home and garden section for more.