Spring AC Maintenance: Why It’s Important and Steps To Complete It
Published March 25, 2024 by Tony Spezza
The trees in Waterfront Park are exploding in bloom, the Saturday Market is abuzz, and the Rose Festival will be here before you know it.
Spring has sprung, and air conditioner season is right around the corner.
Is your air conditioner up to the task of keeping your family cool and comfortable when the temperatures rise?
If you’re unsure, now is the time to start thinking about seasonal AC maintenance.
This article covers why maintaining your air conditioner should be a priority, what should be included in spring AC maintenance, and when to call in the professionals.
Table of Contents
- 5 Reasons Why It’s Important To Prioritize Seasonal AC Maintenance
- 9 Essential Steps to Spring Air Conditioner Maintenance
- AAA Heating and Cooling: Your Choice for Spring AC Maintenance and Tune-Ups in the Greater Portland Area
5 Reasons Why It’s Important To Prioritize Seasonal AC Maintenance
#1: Saves Money
Ignoring spring AC maintenance can lower your unit’s efficiency and wind up costing you more money in the end.
Air conditioner efficiency ratings are assigned to units based on the assumption that a qualified professional will perform annual preventive maintenance. If this is neglected, your AC’s energy efficiency is often the first to suffer, resulting in higher operating costs.
When you take the time to schedule pre-season maintenance, you’re ensuring your AC unit will provide the level of efficiency it was engineered to deliver.
#2: Preventative Inspection
To make sure your equipment is ready to go for its toughest season, air conditioner manufacturers recommend having it serviced each spring.
A qualified HVAC technician can get your AC unit in tip-top shape so it can tackle the heat of summer at peak efficiency.
During a preventive spring AC maintenance service call, the field technician will perform a complete evaluation and tune-up. They’ll be able to find and correct any issues that might malfunction in the summer when the system is under maximum stress.
Spring air conditioning maintenance reduces wear and tear and extends the service life of the AC unit and its components. The longer your equipment functions well, the more time you’ll have before you need to invest in a new system.
Plus, a well-maintained and efficient AC unit runs more quietly, which means you won’t have to try to talk above the air conditioner during your summer backyard barbecues
#3: Easier Scheduling
Ask any AC professional service, and they’ll confirm — once the dog days of summer kick in, AC units are pushed to their maximum workload, and more homeowners realize their system needs to be serviced.
With HVAC technicians swamped by incoming service calls, it can take a significant amount of time for someone to make it to your home. Meaning you may suffer in an unbearably warm home while you wait
Scheduling routine spring AC maintenance will position you ahead of the game and let you breathe easy as the temperature rises.
#4: Compliance With Warranty
Most major air conditioner manufacturers require proof of annual preventive service by a qualified HVAC contractor as part of their warranties.
Without it, you invalidate the warranty and may be denied coverage.
Let’s say the compressor on your AC unit goes out. If you’ve maintained a normal maintenance schedule, the repair should be covered under most brands’ warranties. The key, however, is performing ‘normal maintenance.’
For example, the manufacturer’s warranty for Daikin HVAC systems clearly states: “This warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship that appear under normal use and maintenance.”
#5: Ensures Efficiency and Lifespan
Preventative spring AC maintenance eases the demand on your air conditioner and helps protect it from damage. With normal use, dirt, dust, and debris can collect in your unit, obstructing airflow and reducing its ability to efficiently cool your home.
By regularly checking refrigerant levels and cleaning or replacing air filters, you can optimize the performance and longevity of your AC system.
A few additional ideas for boosting the efficiency and lifespan of your unit include:
- Seal any air leaks around your doors and windows. These allow hot, humid air to enter your home and require your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to. A little caulking or weatherstripping will improve both your AC’s efficiency and your comfort.
- Don’t obstruct the supply registers or return vents in your home. This may require you to rearrange furniture, but allowing the air to flow without restriction may increase your unit’s efficiency and lower your costs.
- Keep the vents or grilles in your home clean by vacuuming them often. This lessens the pollutants and debris that enter your system and helps it run effectively.
The team at AAA Heating and Cooling is ready and waiting to take care of all your spring AC maintenance needs. Request an appointment today!
9 Essential Steps to Spring Air Conditioner Maintenance
#1: Change the Air Filter
We all mean well, but it’s easy to forget to regularly change your air conditioner’s air filter.
This step alone can have a huge impact on the efficiency and health of your HVAC system.
When the air filter becomes clogged, the unit has to use more energy to bring air in. For this reason, it’s best to replace your air filter monthly, particularly if you are a pet owner. Scheduling this quick task for the first of each month is an easy way to make sure it happens.
#2: Clean the Condensate Drain
It’s simple science — a clogged drain overflows. When your AC system’s clogged condensate drain pipe causes the drain pan to overflow, you’ll be coming home from a long day at work to find water leaking into your home.
Air conditioner drain lines can easily become clogged with:
- Dirt
- Rust
- Algae; and
- Other forms of debris
An easy way to keep your condensate pump free from issues is to regularly pour a solution of 50% water and 50% bleach into the access point. If you prefer, you can also purchase a pre-made solution from most A/C maintenance companies or hardware stores.
#3: Clear Away Obstructions and Debris
Do a regular inspection of the outside of your air conditioning unit to ensure it is free of sticks, leaves, and grass clippings.
While plants may improve the aesthetic around the AC unit and help hide it from view, all vegetation should be removed within two feet of the unit to ensure proper airflow.
#4: Clean the Evaporator Coil
Regular cleaning of the external evaporator coil will help keep it operating efficiently.
Your evaporator coil may be cleaned with a homemade solution of distilled water and dishwasher soap and rinsed with white vinegar. Alternatively, you can purchase a no-rinse evaporator coil cleaner online.
#5: Examine the Duct Work
Regularly inspect your ductwork to be sure it’s not torn or sagging.
If you have any issues, have them repaired immediately to increase your system’s efficiency and help your HVAC system cool your home more effectively.
#6: Check Refrigerant Levels
Air conditioner refrigerant levels that are too high or too low will decrease your system’s efficiency.
Adjust your refrigerant levels as needed and regularly inspect the insulation on refrigerant lines, replacing them if you find them to be damaged or missing.
#7: Tighten the Electrical Connections
Faulty electrical connections are a safety hazard you want to be sure to avoid.
HVAC units vibrate as they run, which can cause wires to become loose. Loose wires can’t properly conduct electricity throughout your AC unit and may cause it to stop working properly — or to quit altogether.
Sometimes, after shutting down the electricity, you can tighten loose wires yourself. If you prefer, you can always call a professional to come take care of it for you.
#8: Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detectors
While they aren’t technically a part of your air conditioner unit, it’s important to regularly maintain your carbon monoxide and smoke detectors to ensure they’re operating properly in case of an emergency.
Air conditioning systems shouldn’t produce carbon monoxide, but they can contribute to distributing a leak throughout the home. That’s why it’s wise to annually ensure that your detectors are in prime working order.
Making it a habit to replace the batteries and test your detectors each spring at the same time you have your spring AC maintenance checkup is an easy way to mark this off your list.
#9: Schedule an AC Tune-Up
Some people feel comfortable doing their spring AC maintenance on their own. For most of us, however, calling a professional is the preferred choice. In this case, the final step in spring air conditioner maintenance is to get it scheduled, so your AC will be in top shape for the summer months.
The team at AAA Heating and Cooling is your Portland HVAC experts. Request an appointment today to schedule your spring AC maintenance!
What an AC Tune-Up Should Include
Spring AC maintenance tune-ups should cover these critical items:
- Checking thermostat settings: This ensures your unit will keep you cool and comfortable when you’re home and cut energy use when you’re away.
- Tightening electrical connections: This includes measuring voltages and currents on motors. Poorly maintained electrical connections not only compromise the safety of your system but also reduce the life of the unit’s components.
- Lubricating moving parts: Improperly lubricated parts result in friction that causes resistance and increases the amount of electricity used.
- Inspecting the condensate drain: When drains become plugged, they can overflow, causing water damage and affecting indoor humidity levels.
- Ensuring functioning controls are operating properly: This ensures your unit will be ready to work when you need it.
- Cleaning evaporator and condenser air coils: Coils covered in dust or dirt reduce your system’s capacity to cool your home, causing it to run longer, raise energy costs, and stress the life of the equipment.
- Checking and adjusting refrigerant levels: Improper levels result in decreased efficiency and life expectancy.
- Cleaning and adjusting the blower component: This allows for proper airflow.
AAA Heating and Cooling: Your Choice for Spring AC Maintenance and Tune-Ups in the Greater Portland Area
If you’re looking for a professional team in the greater Portland area to tackle your spring air conditioner maintenance, look no further than AAA Heating and Cooling.
We are a family-owned company, and we’ve been around for over 62 years (yes, you read that right). You can count on us to be here for you year after year.
At AAA Heating and Cooling, we work with our customers to develop a maintenance schedule that works for them. Whether you need AC repair or need to replace your current system, we’re here.
Schedule an appointment today with AAA Heating and Cooling, and let us help you stay cool and comfortable this summer!