It’s the middle of winter, so your air conditioner (A/C) is probably the last thing on your mind. But it’s never too early to start thinking about the functionality of your temperature-controlling equipment. When winter is over and summer begins, will your commercial central A/C be ready to handle the heat?
Your A/C is designed to be used during the hottest months of the year, but the heat and humidity during this time is also rough on your system. Not to mention, you likely haven’t used your A/C for months. To keep your air conditioner in good condition for when you need it the most, it’s necessary to prepare it for the season.
How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Summer
Getting your air conditioner ready for the summer isn’t all that difficult. All you need to do is a little air conditioner maintenance before summer starts. With preventive maintenance, you can ensure your system isn’t only operational, but is also running at peak performance.
If you’re not an expert in mechanical systems, don’t worry; you can call a technician, like the professionals at A&G Services. Our technicians are highly skilled in commercial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) maintenance, repair, and replacement. We can thoroughly inspect your system for potential problems. The process of preventative maintenance includes taking a look at your A/C.
Wiring
The wires in your system can get frayed and worn out over time. If something goes wrong with your wiring, it can disconnect or create intermittent connections to the components that need power. If your A/C unit isn’t getting power, it won’t work; it’s as simple as that.
In addition, damaged wiring can be dangerous. It could potentially create sparks and start a fire. If you notice any problems with your wiring, get in contact with a mechanical services company. Only a trained technician should handle a maintenance issue like this.
Air Filters
Although they may not seem like it, air filters are a very important part of your air conditioner unit. Your office is constantly under attack from particulates like pollen, smoke, pet dander, bacteria, dust, mold, and more. Your air filter plays a big role in protecting employees from these detrimental health factors.
Over time, filters can become clogged with dirt and debris. This negatively impacts airflow and the overall efficiency of the system. The less efficient your A/C unit is, the more power it needs to perform the same job. It’s recommended to check the air filter often and replace when needed.
Condenser and Evaporator Coils
The condenser and evaporator coils allow your system to pump out cold air. It’s in these components where refrigerant is pumped through the unit to remove heat from the air. Specifically, the evaporator coil cycles chilled refrigerant through the machine, cooling the air around it. As the refrigerant absorbs the heat from the hot air outside, it moves to the condenser coils where the heat can be released from the fluid and sent back to the evaporator coil.
These coils need to be regularly cleaned as dirt, vegetation, and debris can get lodged in this section. Dirt makes it harder for the coils to expel heat from the refrigerant, which not only lowers the system’s efficiency but can also cause a fire.
Coolant Lines
The coolant lines are the two copper tubes that connect the heat pump to the evaporator coil. They are normally covered in foam coolant insulation. After the condenser and evaporator coils are cleaned, the coolant lines should be inspected. If there are any punctured or missing layers, new insulation sleeves may be needed.
Ductwork
It can be easy to overlook, but you can’t forget the ductwork. This part of your HVAC is a magnet for dust, mold, allergens, and many other types of debris. As junk gathers over time, it can start affecting air quality. A technician can inspect and clean out all the ducts, so you don’t have to worry about the air you’re breathing.
Make Sure Your A/C Ready for the Summer
At A&G Services, we specialize in providing HVAC services. As your provider, we can carry out a full inspection of your A/C unit to ensure there won’t be problems as summer draws closer.
To learn more about preventative maintenance, contact us today.
