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AC MAINTENANCE

Your air conditioning not working or stalling might seem like it came out of nowhere. However, it'll likely be no surprise to a seasoned technician. These are some of the most common reasons for an air conditioning breakdown.

Improper Installation

If you hire the wrong people to install your air conditioning, your system can be on a lifeline. There are multiple essential components to an air conditioning system, and they should only be handled by certified professionals. Don't do it on your own either, as you could hurt yourself.

A professional air conditioning company, like 1-800-Plumber +Air of Portland, can find the right air conditioning for your home. If you need a new air conditioning system, we'll check out your home to determine the right size.

Uncleaned Air Filter

One of the simplest acts of air conditioning maintenance is also somehow one of the easiest to ignore. Air filters need to be checked and changed often.Clean them once a month, possibly more often if you have dogs and/or cats. You should also install new filters every 90 days, at least.

A dirty air filter can cause serious issues for your system. It can cause different components to overheat and/or freeze. Your air conditioning also can work to its full capacity unless it has a clean air filter. Buy multiple air filters at a time and have ready-access to them. 1-800-Plumber +Air of Portland offers systems with special "replace filter" lights.

Leaking Refrigerant

A refrigerant leak could be due to improper installation, a poorly designed system, or general age. No matter what the cause is, it needs to be handled right away. Otherwise, it can cause serious damage to your air conditioning and to your health.

Your air conditioning needs refrigerant in order to run. It's an essential part of the heat exchange that makes air conditioning possible. The less you have, the less efficient your air conditioning will be. Most importantly, refrigerant exposure is dangerous, causing breathing issues, nausea, and dizziness. Get to your nearest emergency room right away if you suspect anyone in your household has refrigerant poisoning.

Dirty Components

Your air conditioning is made of multiple parts, with different parts inside them. Both your indoor and outdoor units have fans and coils. These need to be kept clean to help extend their lifespans.

Regularly changing your air filters can also benefit your indoor fans and coils. Your outdoor unit might be harder to keep clean, due to the uncertainty of nature. Come around before the warm season and see if yours needs some trimming and/or cleaning.

Age

All air conditioning systems, no matter how well they're kept-up, will wear down with age. If yours has stopped working and is more than 10 years old, you'd likely be better off just replacing your system. There's a difference between extending the age of something through quality control and trying to force a system to keep working past its prime.

You can still replace your air conditioning even if it isn't that old yet. A newer, more energy-efficient system can save you a lot of money and greatly lower your overall carbon footprint. Call 1-800-Plumber +Air of Portland for more information about our systems.

Proper Air Conditioning Maintenance

Most of the above issues can be avoided with regular air conditioner maintenance performed correctly. These are some methods you can try:

Changing Filters

It's easy to change air filters, and you can make your air conditioning run much smoother by doing so. Besides helping the system function, you can also protect your health. A clean air filter is one that can handle dust and other allergens floating around your home, such as pet dander.

Cleaning Condenser Unit

Your outdoor condenser unit needs to be kept clean. Otherwise, outdoor issues could turn into indoor ones. Take yours apart and clean all around, making sure to spray down your fans and inside the unit. You'll also likely need to scrub your evaporator coil and drain.

There are a lot of steps involved in cleaning a condenser unit. You need to make sure you're not using any corrosive chemicals or dangerous methods. Call 1-800-Plumber +Air of Portland if you need your condenser unit serviced ahead of the warm season.

Thermostat Check

Temperature regulation is a very important function of air conditioning. Take a look at your thermostat and make sure it's working properly, keeping everyone in your home cool and comfortable.

If the thermostat isn't working, you might need to replace the batteries or check your breakers. It could be short cycling due to a buildup of dirt and grime. You may also want to upgrade to a more advanced thermostat. Look into Smart thermostats that set the temperature automatically, including based on whether anyone is home.

Professional Inspections

Sometimes, the best thing you can do is trust the experts. When you get your air conditioning installed, the company should also offer yearly maintenance appointments. These are to check your system and perform any necessary tune-ups. You might be totally in the clear, but you might need some repairs - or more.