4 Things To Check When You Give Your AC a Test-Run

Spring Is Air Conditioner Test Time!

Now that the temperatures are warming up in Maryland, it’s time to start thinking about those hot Summer days! And that means making preparations for our air conditioning systems. Early Spring is the PERFECT time to analyze your AC’s performance and check for any possible issues. 

The most important step to take to get your air conditioning system ready for the hard work of summer is to have it professionally maintained during the Spring. However, there are a few easy steps you can take to check out the air conditioner’s operation. In fact, we recommend you give your air conditioning system a test run to see how it’s working after the Winter months AND to uncover any possible problems. This will make preventative maintenance easier for our technician since you’ll be able to tell them about any odd behavior you noticed from the system. Even if you do the test run after maintenance, you’ll still have enough time to arrange for repairs before the Summer weather sets in. Yes, even with the best maintenance, an air conditioner can develop malfunctions.

What Should I Look for During an AC Test Run?

Choose a day where it’s warm enough where running the AC won’t be too uncomfortable, but still not a day when you’d actually need it. Have it run for around an hour. Take a tour around the house and outdoors to look over the condenser cabinet. Here are 4 things you should check on during this test run:

• Unusual noises: You should have a good sense of the sounds your AC makes when it’s running if you’ve already had it for a season. When you hear sounds that are louder than normal or which you haven’t heard before, it often means trouble. Go to both the indoor and outdoor cabinets of the air conditioner and listen to the sounds from the system as it goes through a standard cooling cycle. Do you hear any unusual noises? These can include hissing, banging, screeching, grinding, and clicking. Tell your technician about anything that sounds unfamiliar so they can investigate it.
• Even distribution of cooling: Are all the rooms receiving the level of cooling they should? Although some rooms will probably be naturally warmer than others (such as an upstairs bedroom with widows that receive direct sunlight), you shouldn’t come across any “hot spots.” Such spots are a sign of something wrong with the AC or the ventilation system.
• Proper airflow from vents: Check on all of the vents throughout the rooms in your home. First, make sure none of them are blocked by furniture that was moved during the last few months. Then, as you walk around the rooms, check each of the vents to feel the airflow from them. If the airflow feels sluggish (or perhaps nonexistent), it can point to trouble with the system or leaks in the ducts.   
• Smells from the vents: An acrid odor coming from the vents can often point toward motors wearing down. However, you can expect some unusual smells when an AC turns on for the first time, which is simply dust being blown out from the ducts. Wait to see if the odors persist.

This short DIY diagnostic will help identify serious troubles with your air conditioner. But it’s no substitute for arranging for a preventative maintenance session. Make sure you call Pro-Tech HVAC Home and schedule your tune-up during the Spring (April/May/Early June) to find any malfunctions that you may have missed, as well as to adjust and clean the system so that it keeps you COOL all Summer long! 

What Does AC Preventative Maintenance Include?

During Spring AC Maintenance, Pro-Tech HVAC Home will perform the below services and ensure your system is up and running for those hot Summer months!  Our Spring AC Preventative Maintenance includes:

• Inspect outdoor AC coil
• Inspect indoor evaporator coil
• Check thermostat operation
• Replace customer-supplied filters
• Replace customer-supplied UV lights
• Test temperature difference between return & supply
• Check for correct airflow settings
• Inspect evaporator coil and drain pan
• Flush condensation drain to help protect against overflow
• Inspect start & run capacitors, relays for bulges, rust & leaks
• Check compressor & fan motor for proper amperage draw
• Inspect fuses in high voltage disconnect
• Test & inspect all wires & connections
• Check blower motor & amperage draw
• Check refrigerant level/pressure
• Check capacitors for proper UF capacity

RELATED: When Should I Schedule Spring AC Maintenance?

We’re Here to Help!

We’re currently scheduling preventative maintenance appointments beginning in April. We need outdoor temperatures to stay around 60 degrees to perform all the proper steps during your maintenance. Contact us or request a time online today so we can get you on our schedule! We’ll make sure your system is running in tip-top shape to keep you COOL all Summer long! 

Pro-Tech HVAC Home is Your Top Rated Local HVAC Company!

When it comes to HVAC services, you need to work with a company with a stellar reputation for providing service that is guaranteed to solve your problems once and for all. As Annapolis’ Top Rated Local HVAC contractor, that’s what you get with Pro-Tech HVAC Home. Our customers rely on us for fast, friendly service at a fair price. Our #1 priority is keeping our Annapolis neighbors comfortable all year long!

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Pro-Tech HVAC Home offers new installation, replacement, repairs and maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems in the Annapolis area. Our customers rely on us for honest and reliable service for air conditioners, heat pumps, gas furnaces, Mitsubishi systems, and more. We’re happy to answer questions, troubleshoot, and help you choose the best HVAC system for you and your family. We’re always happy to help answer your questions, so please give us a call or send us an email.