Why Seasonal AC Maintenance is a Must

Ready for Fall’s Routines? Don’t Forget Your Furnace and AC Maintenance

As the earth rotates around the sun and the seasons change, the routines of Fall take over the frivolity of Summer. Right on time, leaves change, and the temperature drops. Fall activities tend to have more timetables attached to them, putting our lives into predictable schedules.

Speaking of routines, this is an excellent time to schedule AC maintenance for your air conditioner and furnace. The air conditioner has worked hard all summer long, and the furnace has a very necessary task for months to come. An inspection and maintenance visit is just what the system needs.

Four AC Maintenance tasks would include:

1. Strategic Cleaning. Cooling and, sometimes, heating use a process called heat transfer. It is accomplished by using the properties of refrigerant gas and gas science to transport heat from one location to another. 
   1. 1. During the cooling season, heat is transported from inside the house to outside of the house. During the heating season, a heat pump can transport heat from outside the house to the inside of the house. The transfer happens outdoors with the condenser unit. The walls of the condenser are constructed of a network of tubes, and the interior houses a large fan. The fan draws air through the network to cool the gas and release the heat into the atmosphere. Sticky pollen collects on the tubes and attracts dust and any other airborne particles that pass through the network. This collection tends to insulate the tubes and prevent the transfer of heat. 
      2. In the air handler closet indoors is another network of tubes used to transfer heat, the evaporator coil. During the cooling season, the coils stay wet, since the indoor air is humid and the moisture condenses on the coils. When this wet coil encounters dust or dirt, it sticks and, yes, insulates the coil and prevents the transfer of heat.
         Cleaning these coils is essential for cooling and, in some systems, essential for heating.

2. Air Filter Care. Since dust and dirt act as insulation, it is important to remove them before they get to the evaporator coil, so air conditioner and furnace systems have an air filter, located immediately before the evaporator chamber. The air filter also removes dust, dander, and other airborne particles from the indoor space, maintaining good indoor air quality. 
   1. 1. However, since the filter is very effective at removing airborne contaminants, the entire surface of the filter quickly gets covered. When the collection gets too thick, it reduces the amount of air that can get through the filter, reducing the system’s cooling and heating capacity. 
      2. During an AC maintenance visit, the technician will change the air filter, but the homeowner needs to take part in this task, as well. A homeowner should check the air filter monthly and change the filter at least once every three months. This increases system efficiency and improves indoor air quality.

3. Refrigerant Pressure. An important task during an air conditioner inspection is testing the refrigerant pressure. As mentioned earlier, the system uses gas science. For this process to work, the gas needs to be within a narrow range of pressure. A drop in pressure is usually the result of a leak, and the leak will eventually allow all the gas to escape. Allowing the refrigerant pressure to drop too low can have catastrophic results.

4. Electronic Testing. Air conditioning requires a serious network of sensors and switches. The sensors are constantly measuring the air temperature, the refrigerant pressure, and certain component temperatures. The switches are running the compressor motor and the blower motor. A major ON/OFF switch is housed in the thermostat—the control mechanism for the entire system. An AC maintenance check will include testing of major electronic controls, uncovering potential weaknesses and failures.

Schedule Your Fall AC Maintenance with AirPro Houston Today!

Fall offers the perfect window to prepare your HVAC system for the cooler months and the year ahead. By taking the time to schedule a professional AC maintenance visit from AirPro Houston, you can ensure your furnace is ready for winter and your AC is in top shape for next summer. Don’t let a minor issue become a major problem—a fall check-up is a simple step that guarantees year-round comfort and peace of mind.

For professional AC maintenance and repairs you can trust, contact AirPro Houston. We have several financing options available with great options. Up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at 281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your Cypress AC maintenance needs.