Air Conditioning Maintenance

Did you know that:

• Undercharged units have lower efficiency?
• You could be losing 5-10% in efficiency due to poor air flow?
• Dirty AC equipment decrease efficiency and lead to early equipment failure?

During our maintenance we will inspect the following areas:

• Refrigerant in your system will be measured determine if it needs recharging.
• Airflow over the cooling coils will be measured to ensure adequate flow.
• Motors, compressor, air handler, ducts, coils and air filters will all be inspected and the coils, drain pan and drain line will be thoroughly cleaned.

Find out why you should have regular maintenance performed on your AC system:

Most homeowners want repair and maintenance BEFORE replacement on their air conditioning system. They want to prolong the life of their equipment as long as possible.

That is exactly why Simpson Air developed and highly encourages all our customers to enroll in our Simpson Maintenance Program. The program will:

• Reduce the likelihood of an air conditioning or heating system break down
• Reduce your utility bills and future repair costs
• Provide priority service if repair is required
• 15% discount on repairs
• No overtime charges if service is required
• Improved system operation and air quality
• Provide longer equipment life before replacement is required

4 Reasons You Should Have Your Evaporator Coil Cleaned with Every Tune-Up

1. A clogged coil will make your air conditioner run longer. It becomes very inefficient in trying to cool your home because it has reduced air flow, causing higher use and higher utility bills. You can pay as much as 30% more each month.
2. A clogged coil does not allow the refrigerant to get evaporated properly, which sends liquid refrigerant back to the compressor. If not serviced, this condition will ruin the compressor causing major repair cost or a system replacement.
3. Dirt and debris on the coil have contaminants that are being blown throughout your home causing poor indoor air quality and the resulting health issues this causes.
4. In the winter operating a system with a clogged evaporator coil may cause a problem. If the air flow is restricted by a clogged coil, it cannot flow and the heat generated by the unit heat strips or gas furnaces can exceed the manufacturers recommendations. This costs you money because you use more electricity and you have a higher utility bill.

How Your Home Comfort System Works

Your air conditioner cools your home with a cold indoor coil called an evaporator. The condenser, a hot outside coil, releases the collected heat outside the house. The evaporator and condenser coils are surrounded by aluminum fins. This surrounding (tubing) is usually made of copper. A pump, called the compressor, moves the heat transfer liquid (refrigerant) between the evaporator and the condenser. The pump forces the refrigerant through the circuit of tubing and fins in the coils. The liquid refrigerant evaporates in the indoor evaporator coil, pulling heat out of the indoor air thereby cooling the home. The hot gas is pumped to the outdoor unit into the condenser where it reverts back to a liquid releasing the heat as it flows over the inside condensers metal tubing and fans. The only way your system can work efficiently is to have both cleaned regularly to ensure maximum production, cooling for the lowest utility bills and prolonged life.

What is the most likely maintenance problem I’m going to have?

One of the most common home comfort system issues is improper operation. Some problems result from faulty installation, poor service procedures, and inadequate maintenance. Improper installation of your system can result in leaky ducts and low air flow. Many times, the refrigerant charge (the amount of refrigerant in the system) does not match the manufacturer’s specifications. If proper refrigerant charging is not performed, the performance and efficiency of the unit is impared.

Air conditioner manufacturers generally make rugged, high quality products. If your air conditioner fails, it is usually for one of the common reasons listed below:

• Refrigerant leaks. If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, either it was undercharged at installation, or it leaks.If it leaks, simply adding refrigerant is not a solution. A trained technician should fix any leak, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant. Remember that the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner is greatest when the refrigerant charge exactly matches the manufacturer’s specification, and is neither undercharged nor overcharged.
• Inadequate maintenance. If you allow filters and air conditioning coils to become dirty it is like breathing through a paper bag. The air conditioner will not work properly, and the compressor or fans are likely to fail prematurely. The system works harder and uses more electricity so your utility bill goes up. Your system will not last as long under these circumstances.
• Electric control failure. The compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner turns on and off frequently. Because corrosion of wire and terminals is also a problem in many systems, electrical connections and contacts should be checked at least once per year.

Why do I need regular maintenance?

An air conditioner's filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases raising your utility bills. The result is loss of years of service and increased cost.

What can I do to help?

The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal air flow and reduce a system’s efficiency significantly. With normal air flow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil’s heat-absorbing capacity.

Clean or replace your air conditioning system’s filter or filters every month or two during the cooling season. Filters may need more frequent attention if the air conditioner is in constant use, is subjected to dusty conditions, or you have fur-bearing pets in the house.

Why do I need the air conditioner coils cleaned?

The air conditioner’s evaporator coil and condenser coil collect dirt over their months and years of service. A clean filter prevents the evaporator coil from soiling quickly. In time, however, the evaporator coil will still collect dirt. This dirt reduces air flow and insulates the coil which reduces its ability to absorb heat. Therefore, your evaporator coil should be checked every year and cleaned as necessary.

Why do I care about coil fins?

The aluminum fins on evaporator and condenser coils are easily bent and can block air flow through the coil. Your service technician uses a tool called a “fin comb” that will comb these fins back into nearly original condition.

Why all the talk about sealing and insulating air ducts?

An enormous waste of energy occurs when air escapes from supply ducts or when attic air leaks into return ducts. Recent studies indicate that 10% to 30% of the air in an average home comfort system escapes from the ducts. For units to be efficient, ducts must be airtight.

Expert AC Maintenance is Essential

In addition to properly using the correct filters on your central heating and air conditioning system and changing them at proper intervals, your home comfort system requires regular maintenance to keep quality up and operating costs down. Proper maintenance is a requirement to maintain your manufacturer's warranty.

Proper yearly maintenance & professional cleaning should consist of:

• Cleaning the indoor coil, pan & drain line. This prevents dust buildup, prevents micro bacterial growth, prevents loss of efficiency, reduces breakdown, reduces the possibility of unnecessary damages.
• Cleaning the outdoor unit. This prevents dirt and debris build up and prevents loss of efficiency & capacity.
• Use of professional cleaners allows us to remove dirt, debris and growth from deep within the coils, drain pan & drain lines resulting in improved indoor air quality.
• Use of professional grade sanitizer allows us to remove microscopic groth, germs and bacteria, thereby improving air quality.
• Fine tuning the refrigerant charge. This increases compressor life expectancy & prevents loss of efficiency.
• Inspecting over 21 electrical & mechanical parts. This reduces the possibility of breakdowns.
• Replacing or cleaning the air filter.

Learn about our maintenance program options!