Why Do You Need a Service Contractor?
You depend on your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for a comfortable and healthy life. If the system is not functioning properly, it can damage your health with toxins in the air and make the indoor temperature unbearable. A malfunctioning HVAC system can also lead to extravagant electricity bills because it’s working overtime to no effect. The easiest way to keep your indoor air quality clean and your energy bill low is to have an annual HVAC system maintenance check by a service contractor.
You may set your thermostat and forget about it because you know your HVAC system will maintain a comfortable temperature. What you may not realize is that if there are pinhole leaks in the ducts or the filter is clogged, your system is trying to compensate for this to reach the right temperature. This means that it is working harder than it should and will not only use too much energy but will wear out faster. The result is no air conditioning during the hottest time of the year and expensive repair or replacement is needed quickly.
There is a convenient answer to all of this that will give you year-round peace of mind. You must find the perfect service contractor to get the job done. According to the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA), there is a standardized checklist that must be done to perform effective maintenance service.
These high-quality standards have been adopted by manufacturers, government agencies, utilities and others throughout the country because they show the technicians how to make a home or office building truly energy efficient with healthy indoor air quality as well as assuring the occupant’s comfort. It takes a trained technician with the right tools and experience to service your HVAC system up to ACCA standards.
The Perfect Service Contractor Will:
- Check the thermostat to make sure it is calibrated correctly. This ensures you have comfort in hot and cold weather. The latest technology is a programmable thermostat. It is ideal and if you don’t have one, the technician may recommend installing one on the spot
- Tighten the electrical connections and measuring the current and voltage on the equipment motors
- Lubricate all the moving parts to avoid friction in the system, which will cause the motor to overheat and break down. Lubrication also helps decrease electricity use, lowering energy bills
- Inspect the condensate drain in both air conditioners and condensing furnaces. Normally, the condensate collects in the pan under the system and drains outside. Over time, algae and sludge can block the drainpipe and the drainage pan overflows. This not only causes water damage to the equipment, but it can also leak into your walls and floors and become a breeding ground for mold
- Check the system controls, including the start cycle, shut-off sequence and operation. These have a regular cycle and need to be running safely and properly
- Clean and adjust the blower to ensure proper airflow for clean indoor air. If it is not working properly, it can cut the efficiency of your system by 15 percent
- Clean the evaporator and condenser coils in the air conditioning unit. Coils that are covered in dust or silt decrease the efficiency of the cooling system and make it stay on longer than would normally be necessary. This not only raises energy bills, but it also shortens the life of the equipment.
- Check the refrigerant charge for air conditioners, which shouldn’t be too high or too low
- Check the safety and functionality of fuel line connections for heaters. If the connections are bad, they may be a fire hazard or cause health problems because of escaped fumes
- Inspect the burner combustion, gas pressure and heat exchanger in heaters. If all of these aren’t functioning properly, it’s not only unsafe, it’s unhealthy. If the heat exchanger is cracked, you may need a new furnace.
Hammock’s AC Has Your Next Service Contractor
At Hammock’s AC, we want to ensure that your home is comfortable whatever the temperature is outside. We suggest getting regular maintenance done on your HVAC system to make sure that it is running smoothly throughout the year. We also have a 24 hour emergency service, so if something happens at night, we are just one call away. Contact us to schedule your next appointment!
