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Your HVAC system is not cheap, so you want to make sure that you are properly maintaining it. The very best thing you can do for your AC system before this summer starts is book an air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX. An AC service is a great way to tune-up your system and ensures that all components are working properly and not damaged before kicking it on for the spring and summer season. It doesn’t matter what type of air conditioning system you have in your home, every single one will benefit from regular servicing and a tune-up.
Air conditioning service helps to save you from an unexpected breakdown that can leave you baking in the hot summer sun of Mansfield, TX, and it helps you reduce your energy costs so that you aren’t weeping every time your energy bills come. Those are just two of the many, many perks that come from booking a regular air conditioning service. In order to keep your system in prime working order, it is suggested that you book an annual service unless the technician voices concern about something, in which case you may want to follow his or her recommendations for quicker check-in.
There are a lot of issues that can arise with a home air conditioning system because your HVAC system is very complex. There are a lot of components that need to work properly in order for your home to cool properly, and a trained and certified HVAC technician is the only person who can assure you that things are working properly. If they aren’t, they are also the only one that can fix the problems.
Ready to call your local Mansfield, TX HVAC company but aren’t sure what to expect when they come to your home for the tune-up? An air conditioning service is fairly straightforward and outside of clearing space for the HVAC technician to work, you should not have to worry about too much intrusion. The technician will do his job as quickly as possible and then tell you what they found. Depending on if there is any damage they may or may not have to return to your home to make repairs. Here is a brief overview of what to expect from an air conditioning service so you can feel more prepared when a tech arrives at your door.
How Much Time Will An Air Conditioning Service Take?
A standard air conditioning service in Mansfield, TX will usually take two to four hours depending on how large your home is and how often you have your unit serviced. A unit that is serviced on a regular basis will require less cleaning than a unit that has never been serviced before because more dust and debris will build up. The overall age and condition of your HVAC unit will also play a role in how long air conditioning service will take since a unit that is younger and in decent condition will likely not need any repairs while an older unit may require more work. In general, plan for the air conditioning service call to take a few hours. If you have any additional time questions ask the HVAC technician who schedules your appointment and they should be able to give you a more detailed estimate.
What Should I Do to Prepare for My AC Service Call?
As a homeowner there is very little you have to worry about before your air conditioning service visit in Mansfield, TX. In general, it is recommended that you clear a path to both the outdoor and indoor components of your AC system. There should not be anything blocking access to your outdoor unit, and if it is aligned with your driveway out of courtesy you should move any cars that might be near it so that the tech has a clear wide open space to work within.
Inside of your home, you will need to clear a four-foot path to your indoor unit so the tech can easily access it. If there are any materials around your unit you will also want to move them so the tech can reach the unit without disturbing anything in your home. Sometimes techs will also want to check your main ducts and your thermostat so it is a good idea to ensure that the tech will also be able to access the upper levels of your home. Most HVAC technicians also appreciate it if all animals are locked up during their visit so they are free to check the vents and thermostat when needed.
As a matter of courtesy, all technicians who enter your home should wear a face covering and bring cleaning supplies to wipe down the areas where they have been. While you are not required to do so, most HVAC technicians appreciate it when homeowners also choose to wear masks while interacting with them. If you or any of your family members are feeling sick on the day of your air conditioning service just give us a call and we will be glad to reschedule.
What Actually Happens During an Air Conditioning Service Call
If you have called for a specific problem, then the HVAC professional will probably focus on troubleshooting that problem exclusively, but if you are simply booking an annual air conditioning service then you can expect some variation of the following maintenance steps. The purpose of a service call is to ensure that your system is ready for the coming spring and summer months, so the technician will go through a checklist and tune-up your HVAC system while looking for any potential problems that can be fixed before the system is in heavy use again.
The Basics of an Air Conditioning Service Visit
So what happens when the actual visit happens? Here is a breakdown of what is going to happen during your visit, so you know the basic premise of what the technician is doing and what you are paying for.
Lubrication of All Moving Parts
One of the most important tasks that take place during an air conditioning service is the lubrication of all moving parts. The moving components of your air conditioning system are the most likely to break down and then cause additional damage. They also are the most likely to compromise the energy efficiency of your system. Throughout this process, technicians will carefully be checking the motors and other moving mechanical moving parts of your air conditioning system to ensure that everything is in good shape.
If they see any parts that look like they are wearing down they will likely talk to you about repairing the parts. If they have the parts on hand they may be able to offer to exchange them during the repair visit, but more often than not the replacement parts will need to be ordered. This is one reason why it is so important to schedule your air conditioning service before the summer is in full swing. Instead of finding yourself stranded without an AC system while you wait for the replacement parts, the delay will not bother you since you are not currently relying on your AC.
After the inspection is complete, the HVAC technician will then lubricate all moving parts to reduce the amount of stress they face while functioning. Regular lubrication helps ensure that everything is able to move as it should and does not knock against belts or pieces that they are not supposed to. One main reason why regular servicing and maintenance extends the lifespan of an HVAC unit is that it keeps the system lubricated so that it is always working at its top efficiency level.
Top Off the Refrigerant Level
With any luck, the HVAC technician will check your refrigerant levels and ascertain that they are fine unless you happen to have an old HVAC system that has not been maintained in a while in which case it may need its levels topped off. If the Freon is low on a newer HVAC system, this may tip the technician off to a leak which will lead to him or her investigating any area where the leak could be coming from.
Not only does leaking refrigerant compromise the ability of the system to deliver cool air, but it also can lead to compressor damage. Usually, when the refrigerant is low you will notice warm air flowing out of your vents. This is a signal that you need to call for air conditioning service if you have not yet. Damage to the compressor is not something that you want to take lightly. Your compressor is one of the integral parts of your entire HVAC system, and most times if it completely dies it is more cost-effective to simply replace the entire unit. Of course, most homeowners want to delay replacing their unit as long as possible which is why maintenance is so important.
In addition, a refrigerant leak can be dangerous and needs to be addressed and contained right away. Freon is a very poisonous chemical and is harmful to the ground, people, and animals. If ingested it can lead to death if treatment is not offered right away. This is why hiring a certified HVAC technician who is registered to deal with Freon is so important. During the inspection, they will check the levels and make sure that there are no leaks so everyone in your home stays safe.
Clean Out Your AC Coils
The coils are responsible for cooling down the air that enters your home, which makes them very important to the overall function of your AC system. During an air conditioning service, the HVAC expert will inspect the evaporator and/or condenser coils and clean away any grime or dirt that has accumulated. Due to the fact that the coils sit outside of a home, over time, it is only natural that dirt will build up which can compromise the way they are able to function. It can even lead them to rust or corrode prematurely which can force you to replace your AC unit long before its expected lifespan is up.
Inspect or Change the Air Filter
As part of the service, some HVAC companies will change your air filter for you, while others expect you to take care of the air filter yourself. This is because you should be changing your air filter every three months to ensure your AC continues to work optimally.
A service call is a great time however to ask the HVAC technician for input about the type of filters you have been using. They can look at the condition of your filter presently and recommend if you may want to use a premium brand due to high concentrations of dust, or if you need to change your filters more frequently. They are the best source of advice, so feel free to ask them. On the other hand, if you are not sure how to change your filters on your own, this is an excellent time to ask so that you can handle your own air filter changes in the future.
Inspect the Condensate Pan
The condensate pan has one function- to catch the water moisture that falls off the evaporator coils. However, this water can eventually fill the plan which will result in it overflowing. The HVAC tech will check the pan and drain it along with the condensate drain to ensure that a clog will not form, shutting down your AC system.
Calibrate the Thermostat
Finally, before leaving the technician will check your thermostat during his or her air conditioning service visit and calibrate it if they find that it is not properly sensing the temperature in the home. At this point, you can be confident that your AC is ready for the next season. If you are ready to schedule your next AC service, contact Minuteman Heating & Air of Mansfield, TX and we will get you on the schedule.