Air conditioning systems have now become an integral part of our lives. However, they do require periodic maintenance; without regular maintenance, issues can arise at any time.
Given Denver’s current weather conditions, you cannot afford to compromise on your air conditioning unit’s efficiency. With temperatures rising, you need to ensure your air conditioner is working when you need it most. To avoid AC repair expenses, you must keep up on your AC maintenance.
Any good HVAC system has several complex components that work in harmony to remove humidity and cool your home.
Now is the time to turn on your air conditioning unit, but not without a professional HVAC inspection first.
Just because your AC was working perfectly fine up until last summer, you may not have had any HVAC maintenance done for over a year. Now that you’ve tried turning it on, you may have witnessed weird noises coming out of the air conditioner. If that’s the case, then your AC needs to be inspected.
If you’re like most of us, over time, when your system was turned off, you probably didn’t bother to check its condition. Now it has all that dirt, debris, and dust clogging up the entire system.
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A Word of Advice
We have created this 2021 air conditioning maintenance guide to help Denver residents.
Although there are certain tasks you can perform yourself, we strongly recommend calling in an HVAC expert if you get stuck at any point. Prevention is always better than the cure. Here are some of the ways to prevent your AC from overheating
Preventative Maintenance for Denver HVAC Systems
HVAC preventive maintenance involves periodic inspections of your units to ensure they continue to operate during peak season.
Many Denver homeowners overlook that a one-time $100 investment in HVAC maintenance is essential to keep their $5,000 unit operating properly. This is like an oil change for your vehicle, which helps safeguard your engine from permanent damage.
Regular HVAC Denver maintenance is essential not only for your air conditioning system but also to reduce energy bills and maximize its efficiency this summer.
Cleaning your Air Conditioner
Here are all the steps you can follow to clean your AC for the upcoming summer.
As with any electrical equipment, safety comes first. Wear rubber gloves and safety goggles, and disconnect the power supply to your HVAC unit. If you cannot find the shut-off box near your HVAC system, simply deactivate your system from the main breaker.
2. Clear Debris and the Air Filters
Clear the dirt, dust, and debris from around the HVAC system using a vacuum cleaner. Look for bent fins and apparent signs of wear and damage. Proceed to clean the condenser fins, which is the starting point of debris.
Use a soft paintbrush to gently clear any stuck debris and a vacuum cleaner to suck away all that dust. Check for plants or any other objects that might have become lodged in the fins. Keep at least 3 feet of the surrounding area clear of any objects.
Head to your furnace or the air handler cabinets to remove the air filters. Check their condition and refer to the owner’s manual if they can be replaced or reused. These cost under $10, so instead of cleaning them, replace clogged air filters with new ones. By replacing your air filters, you will notice a significant improvement in airflow.
3. Clean AC Condenser Coils
The outdoor unit is what does all the magic in heating or cooling your Denver home. Depending upon the weather, the AC condenser coils can get clogged with dirt and debris, which can decrease your unit’s efficiency.
You need to open up the side and top panels of the outdoor unit with a screwdriver or a nut driver. Carefully unscrew all panels and gently lift them out of their position.
Here comes the most sensitive part. The condenser coils are extremely delicate, and even slight pressure can damage them beyond repair. Gently clean the condenser coils with a soft paintbrush, and in the process of doing so, do not bend the fins. If you do, use a fin comb to straighten them once you are done cleaning.
Now use a vacuum cleaner and gently suck out all the dust and debris that has clogged the coils. You can also use any commercial air conditioning coil spray to clean the fins. Do not spray the fan or any other electrical equipment, as this may damage your outdoor unit.
Just make sure to cover all electrical equipment, such as the kit and the fan, when using a water hose. Water can easily damage your system; therefore, care should be taken when using a pressure hose.
4. Clear Debris from the Condenser
Take out dirt, such as leaves and debris, that you may notice at the base of the condenser. If your unit includes a drain, ensure it is cleaned so the pathway isn’t blocked.
To clear the motor’s fan, you can also use a vacuum cleaner or a pressurized blower to clear away dust and debris. This is a safer alternative to using a hose to clean your outdoor unit.
Once you are finished, carefully reassemble the panels and screw them back in tightly. It is always a good idea to perform a final check of your outdoor unit and clear any remaining debris.
5. Inspect the Refrigerant Lines
The refrigerant lines are as sensitive as the condenser coils and are usually insulated with foam to prevent energy loss. These tubes run from the interior to the outer unit. Insulation foam is quite economical, and you can buy it cheaply from your local hardware store.
Make sure to cover your refrigerant lines with insulation after cleaning the air conditioner. Alternatively, you can also use any good insulation tape to cover up the lines.
6. Close Gaps
When it’s 90 degrees outside, you’ll want to get the most out of your air conditioner, and one way of ensuring maximum efficiency other than maintenance is to close any gaps you see in your home’s doors and windows.
You may notice that your air conditioner is running continuously to maintain a stable indoor temperature, even though cool air is escaping through gaps.
If you have gaps around your doors and windows, you can use foam to fill them up. When hot air isn’t entering your room from these gaps, you should notice a considerable improvement in the efficiency of your air conditioner.
7. Test your Unit
Before turning it on, test your air conditioning unit to verify it receives power.
First, turn off your thermostat, then power it on from the disconnect box and the main panel. Once the power is on, adjust the thermostat to activate your outdoor unit so it starts producing cool air.
Notice the airflow direction and force, and if everything has been done correctly, you should see a significant improvement in the cooling efficiency of your air conditioning unit in Denver.
If you don’t notice any significant improvement, it is time to call in the professionals. Exploring affordable cooling solutions in Denver can also lead to long-term savings on energy bills. Many local companies offer innovative products and services designed to enhance comfort without breaking the bank.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to experts who can provide personalized recommendations tailored to your specific needs.
8. Adjust your Thermostat
Adjusting your thermostat is key not only to saving on energy bills but also to prolonging your air conditioner’s life. Many Denver households keep their thermostats set at a low temperature, which forces their air conditioners to run for extended periods, causing more wear and tear.
If you are not at home, it is always wise to set the thermostat to a higher temperature or turn it off when you don’t need it. It depends on how well your system is optimized to cool in summer.
Professional Air Conditioning Inspection in Denver
Maintaining your air conditioner is essential to extend its lifespan and reduce your energy bills.
Whenever JD’s Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning is called for AC inspection in Denver before the start of summer, we see several households leaving their units without any plastic cover when not in use.
We strongly recommend using a plastic cover to keep your outdoor and indoor units safe from dust, dirt, and debris during the off-peak season. AC maintenance before the first hard freeze is essential to keep your unit running.
Now that you have finished cleaning your air conditioner, if it still does not perform optimally, please stop what you’re doing and call us right away.
Air conditioners are sensitive electrical equipment with a complex network of wires and pipes. You do not want to accidentally damage any of these parts in the process of cleaning your system. It is always best to have an HVAC Denver professional inspect and tune it up for the summer.
What to Consider When Hiring an HVAC Denver Professional?
It is always recommended to hire an HVAC technician in Denver to perform an in-depth inspection of your HVAC system. We at JD’s Plumbing Heating & AC follow a strict 22-point inspection and maintenance checklist. Ideally speaking, here’s what your HVAC technician should do:
● Check for any gas leakages
● Inspect wiring and voltage
● Inspect condenser coils to check for leakages
● Check refrigerant pressure
● Inspect ductwork for any leakages
● Measure airflow through the evaporator coil
● Tighten electrical connections
● Oil the motor and any other moving parts to reduce friction
Air Conditioning Repair & Installation Services in Denver
To get the most out of your air conditioner, the technicians at JD’s Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning in Denver will visit your premises, conduct a routine inspection and provide possible solutions and recommendations.
Buying or replacing an AC unit can be daunting for Denver homeowners. We can also help you replace your Air-Conditioning unit if it is nearing the end of its life expectancy. Our team of certified HVAC Denver technicians offers a number of services, including:
● Air conditioner inspection
● Furnace inspection
● Routine maintenance
● AC repairs and replacements
● Refrigerant checks
Our air conditioner maintenance services range from $100 to $150 and can save you thousands of dollars in costly repairs and replacements.
The benefits certainly outweigh the costs. Give us a call now to have us professionally examine your air conditioner for the coming months.
