Top 5 Professional AC Maintenance Tasks You Shouldn’t DIY
Why These AC Maintenance Tasks Require a Professional
There are several AC maintenance tasks that the average homeowner can complete on a weekend, but some things are best left to the AC maintenance professionals. HVAC systems involve hazardous chemicals, high-voltage electrical components, and fragile internal components. Attempting to DIY certain AC maintenance tasks can void your warranty, cause the system to fail, or result in injury.
Here are the top five AC maintenance tasks that you should never attempt to complete on your own and should be handled by a trained HVAC contractor.
1 Recharging or Checking Refrigerant
The refrigerant that your HVAC system uses to absorb and remove heat from your home is in a closed system and should never lose its operating level. If your system runs low, it means that you have a leak.
The refrigerant in your HVAC system requires Section 608 EPA Certification to be handled. This chemical is very hazardous to the environment. An HVAC contractor will have the specific equipment that can measure the system pressure, identify leaks, solder the refrigerant lines, and recharge your system to the manufacturer’s specifications.
2 Cleaning Your Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is inside your indoor air handler. It gets ice cold and pulls the humidity out of the air in your home. As your system is used, dust and debris can clog the coil and create a layer of residue that decreases the system’s efficiency. If left unaddressed, the system will freeze up.
To access the evaporator coil, you must open the indoor unit’s plenum (a sealed chamber that connects your furnace or air handler directly to the ductwork). The fins inside the plenum are very fragile and can be damaged quite easily. An experienced AC maintenance contractor uses chemical solvents to clean the evaporator coil. If you attempt to tackle this task on your own, you run the risk of flooding the emergency drain pan.
3 Electrical System Inspection
An experienced AC maintenance contractor will thoroughly inspect electrical components, check the draw on the system motors, and measure voltage. Specific components that are delicate to inspect are the capacitor (equates to the system battery) and the contactor (the on and off switch).
The capacitor can store lethal electrical energy even if the system is powered off. An experienced AC maintenance contractor can safely discharge the capacitor, interpret capacitance values, and replace any failing components prior to them damaging your compressor.
4 Blower Motor and Fan Testing
Your AC system blower motor pushes the conditioned air through your HVAC system’s ductwork. An experienced AC maintenance contractor will test the blower motor amperage, lubricate the bearings (on systems where this applies), and test the fan for balance.
If you do not know how to properly adjust the fan wheel and it is out of balance, the vibration can severely damage the motor shaft, causing even more damage to the furnace or air handler unit. Analyzing the electrical components of the blower motor and fan requires a multimeter to accurately evaluate the diagnostics.
5 Ductwork Inspecting and Airflow Calibration
Your home’s comfort is not just about blowing cold air around your home. A qualified AC maintenance contractor will measure the air volume entering your HVAC system and leaving it. They will determine if the airflow matches the system’s ratings. During your AC maintenance appointment, the technician will also inspect ductwork for any design issues and leak detection.
The tools needed to measure airflow are not readily available to the average homeowner. Tools like specialized pressure gauges and anemometers are required.
Book Your AC Maintenance Now and Beat the Summer Rush!
Don’t wait for the heatwave to hit—beat the heat and book your AC maintenance appointment before the summer time rush begins. Our dealers will safely handle all five of these critical maintenance tasks to ensure your system runs at peak efficiency. Secure your spot today to protect your investment, maintain your warranty, and guarantee your home stays perfectly cool all summer long. To find a professional Trane AC maintenance contractor, use our Dealer Locator Tool to find a repair technician nearest you.