You are here » Maintaining Your Air ConditionerHow to Maintain an Air Conditioner Home & Garden | Central air conditioners have two separate components: the condenser and the evap­orator. The condenser unit is usually located outside the house on a concrete slab. The evaporator coil is mounted in the plenum or main duct junction above the furnace. Most central air conditioners are connected to a home's forced-air distribution system. Thus, the same motor, blower, and ductwork used for heating are used to distribute cool air from the air conditioning system. When a central air conditioner is operating, hot air inside the house flows to the furnace through the return-air duct. The hot air is moved by the blower across the cooled evaporator coil in the plenum and is then delivered through ducts to cool the house. When the air conditioner works but the house doesn't cool, the problem is probably in the distribution system. The Ultimate Heating and Cooling Systems Basics Quiz

The Ultimate Off-Peak Cooling Systems Quiz Keeping Cool: Air Conditioner Quiz Both the evaporator and the condenser are sealed. Therefore, a professional service person should be called for almost any maintenance other than routine cleaning. Central air conditioners should be professionally inspected and adjusted before the beginning of every cooling season. However, don't let your maintenance end with this annual checkup. While there aren't many repairs you can make yourself, there are specific maintenance procedures you can follow to keep your system operating at peak efficiency. Caution: Before doing any work on an air conditioning system, make sure the power to the system, both to the condenser and to the evaporator assembly, is turned off.It’s a good idea to hire an HVAC company to inspect and do maintenance on your system every fall and spring. They’ll do things like inspect and clean the wiring and mechanisms of the unit, which is bit more challenging for the average homeowner.

But you can prolong the life and increase the efficiency of your system if you follow this simple maintenance plan: Some things you should do immediately; other tasks only need to be done seasonally or once a year.Steps to a Healthy HVAC SystemBuy a better filter if you haven’t already. The new high-efficiency pleated filters have an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles — even those that carry bacteria.Replace the filter at least every 90 days. car ac repair costBut check it monthly. auto upholstery repair tempe azIf it looks dark and clogged, go ahead and change it. build ac unitIf you have pets, you’ll probably need to change every month.Make sure there’s at least two feet of clearance around outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps.

Remove debris, such as leaves, pollen, and twigs weekly during spring, summer, and fall from top and sides of outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps. Don’t allow the lawn mower to discharge grass clippings onto the unit.Monthly, inspect insulation on refrigerant lines leading into house. Replace if missing or damaged.Make sure unit is level. Annually, ensure that outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps are on firm and level ground or pads.Annually, pour a cup of bleach mixed with water down the air-conditioner condensate drain to prevent buildup of mold and algae, which can cause a clog.Shut off the water supply to the furnace humidifier in summer. In fall (or when you anticipate turning on the heat), replace the humidifier wick filter, set the humidistat to between 35% and 40% relative humidity, and turn on the water supply.Never close more than 20% of a home’s registers to avoid placing unnecessary strain on the HVAC system.Replace the battery in your home’s carbon monoxide detector annually.

Related:How to Inspect Your HVACHow to Use a Programmable Thermostat for Real SavingsThe 5 Most Effective Ways to Take Back Your Energy BillsWHEN SHOULD I DO FURNACE MAINTENANCE? The old adage is true: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound ofBelow you’ll find our Preventative Maintenance Checklist, which is our proven method to keep your system in the pink and your home in For a system that heats and cools: perform maintenance in the spring and fall For cooling system maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the cooling season For furnace maintenance only: perform maintenance at least once a year, before the heating HVAC PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE CHECKLIST Many dealers provide priority service for their customers who have an annual maintenance or service agreement. maintenance will ensure that your system runs as efficiently asYour local dealer will perform the following tasks, depending on the unit:

Inspect unit for proper refrigerant level and adjust if necessary Clean dirt, leaves and debris from inside cabinet Inspect base pan for restricted drain openings—remove obstructions as necessary Inspect coil and cabinet—clean as needed Inspect fan motor and fan blades for wear and damage—on older models lubricate as needed Inspect control box, associated controls/accessories, wiring and connections. Controls may include contactors, relays, circuit boards, capacitors, sump heat and other accessories. All control box and electrical parts should be checked for wear or damage. compressor and associated tubing for damage Inspect and clean blower assembly (includes blower housing, blower wheel and motor) On older models, lubricate motor and inspect and replace fan belt if needed Check combustion blower housing for lint and debris and clean as necessary Inspect evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain lines.

Clean as needed Inspect for gas leaks in gas furnaces Inspect burner assembly—clean and adjust as needed Inspect ignition system and safety controls—clean and adjust as needed Inspect heat exchanger or heating elements Inspect flue system—check for proper attachment to the furnace, any dislocated sections, and for signs of corrosion. Inspect control box, associated controls, wiring and connections Clean or replace air filters Inspect conditioned airflow system (ductwork)—check for leaks WHILE YOUR SYSTEM IS OPERATING Monitor system starting characteristics and capabilities Listen for abnormal noise Search for source of unusual odors Monitor air conditioning and heat pump systems for correct refrigerant charge Measure outdoor dry bulb temperature Measure indoor dry and wet bulb temperature Measure high and low side system pressures Monitor gas furnace for correct line and manifold gas pressure—make adjustments as needed Measure temperature

rise and adjust airflow as needed Check vent system for proper operation Monitor system for correct line and load volts/amps Monitor system operation per manufacturer's specifications Provide system operation report and recommend repairs or replacement as necessary NOTE: Trane recommends all maintenance and service work be performed by a professional air conditioning and heating dealer that holds the appropriate credentials to install and service air conditioning and heating a Trane Comfort Specialist near you HOW CAN I GET THE MOST OUT OF MY TRANE HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS? systems are designed to provide optimal efficiency and comfort. it’s time to do the same to your home. Here are some things you can do around the house to optimize the operation of your system, as well as the comfort inside your home. MAINTENANCE Set the thermostat as high as comfort willMake sure attics are adequately ventilated to relieve

If necessary, improve airflow by adding or enlargingWhen building a new house or renovating an old one, choose light-colored roof shingles to reflect more of the sun'sDuring moderate weather, don't use the air conditionerDraw blinds or drapes to block the sunlight during the hottest part of the day. windows exposed to direct sunlight. In the cooling season, don't run kitchen and bath exhaust fans longer than necessary. Don't place lamps, TV sets or other heat-producing devices beneath a wall-mounted thermostat. Rising heat from that equipment may cause the air conditioning system to overcool your house. HEATING & FURNACE MAINTENANCE Locate the thermostat on an inside wall away from windows and doors. thermostat as low as comfort permits. Each degree over 68°F can add 3% to the amount of energy needed for heating. So lower the thermostat a degree or two when expecting a large group of guests. sure your home is properly insulated.

This is the single most important step in conserving energy. Thermal insulation should be specified in terms of thermal resistance (R-values). is recommended for ceilings, and R-11 (3-1/2”) for exterior walls and floors over unheated areas. In colder climates, considerInfiltration of humid outside air is your heating and air conditioning system's worst enemy—it could account for 15% to 30% of air conditioning energy requirements. the places where air can sneak into the home and plug them with caulking, weather-stripping or plastic. caulk around all entrance doors and windows. transfer through your windows by 40% to 50% with double-glazing (two panes of glass separated by a sealed air space) and low-eUse wood- or metal-frame storm windows even if single-glazed windows are high quality. The extra layer of glass and the layer of still air will cut heat transfer considerably. Install storm doors at all entrances to your house.