3 Areas Of The Air Handler An AC Maintenance Technician Checks During A Tuneup
Annual AC maintenance is an important way to keep your air conditioning equipment in good condition. Just like your car acts up and eventually stops running if you don't service it regularly, your AC will not operate efficiently and it may break down if it doesn't get regular maintenance.
Annual maintenance includes cleaning and servicing from an AC technician. They'll check the air handler and condenser to make sure they're clean and the parts are all in good shape for the long summer ahead. Here are parts in the air handler the AC maintenance technician needs to check.
1. The Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil houses the refrigerant that flows through your air conditioner. The coil needs to be clean or it might ice over when your AC runs every day. The AC maintenance technician can use foam cleaner on the coil if needed to get it clean.
Even though the evaporator coil is indoors, it can still get grimy. That happens because the coil stays wet from condensation. As dust passes over the coil, it sticks to the condensation and creates a grimy coating that interferes with the way the refrigerant works, and that can cause the coil to form ice that will eventually shut your AC down. This problem is avoided by keeping the coil clean.
2. The Condensation Drain
When condensation on the evaporator coil drips off, it lands in the condensation pan. Then the water rolls out of the pan through the drain to the outdoors. If the drain happens to be clogged, water can't drain out. The water backs up in the pan until it spills over.
That's why the AC maintenance technician will check the drain and clean it out if needed so water drains away and won't cause problems with your AC. Some air conditioners have a float switch that shuts the AC down if the water level in the pan gets too high. Your home gets hot fast in the summer when the AC isn't working, so it's important to keep the condensation drain clean and clear.
3. The Blower
The blower is responsible for blowing cool air through the ducts and into your living space. The blower can sometimes malfunction if it gets coated in dust or if it vibrates loose. The AC maintenance technician will clean the blower if needed and make sure it is securely in place. They may also check the blower motor and capacitor since these parts need to be working properly for the blower to spin and move air through the system.
For more info about AC maintenance, contact a local professional.