With Regular Service, You Can Keep Your Cool

Heat and humidity make your air conditioner work overtime. In addition to cooling your home, your air conditioner is key to keeping the humidity in your home under control. When the heat is above 90°F, and the humidity matches, the strain on your system is grueling. That’s why it’s crucial to have regular maintenance. It can catch minor issues and keep them from turning into major problems.

What Can Happen if You Don’t Have Maintenance?

Like all mechanical devices, air conditioners experience wear. Stuff breaks. Parts can spring leaks. Other things get out of adjustment. Water can build up, and refrigerant can leak, causing damage. Motors can break, and belts can start to slip. There are two things that are telltale signs of possible problems: weird noises and bad odors. For example, a smell of dirty socks indicates the presence of biological growths. A smell like bleach could indicate ozone, which is formed when your system experiences a short circuit. Heavy whump-whump-whumping usually points to something out of alignment or worn out inside one of the fan assemblies. Sharp clanging could mean a broken fan blade. Of course, it’s not possible to prevent or catch every problem, but having someone inspect your cooling system on a regular basis is just plain smart.

What Does an Inspection Include?

The technician will check everything for leaks. That includes the refrigerant lines and the air ducts. If they find a leak, then parts of your system could freeze because of the lower airflow and/or lesser ability to exchange heat. If refrigerant is missing, then the technician will add some after fixing the leak. Belts, fans, motors, and all other parts get inspected, too, and replaced if necessary. In a case where your system is emitting unusual smells or making weird sounds, the technician will investigate those as well. After completing any repairs, it’s also usual for a technician to perform a blower door test to check the efficacy of the repaired system.

How Often Do You Need an Inspection?

Once or twice a year usually suffices. Extreme heat, such as extended periods over 90°F, particularly with high humidity, necessitates at least two inspections a year. Generally, the best times for those inspections are the end of spring and the end of fall.

We have the skills and knowledge to handle anything you need done regarding your air conditioner, and our repairs are competitively priced. So, for air conditioning repairs or routine maintenance from a locally owned and operated company in Delray Beach, contact us at Atlantic Refrigeration to set up an appointment.