For people who live in cold climates, getting their air conditioner checked in the middle of January probably seems about as important as buying a new spring wardrobe. However, for those who live in warmer climates, now is a good time to inspect air conditioning systems to ensure that they are ready for the hot season and not just the mild temperatures of winter in humid subtropical climates.
A community association management company can ensure that the following checks are made to your community’s air conditioners before it is time to have fun in the sun again. After having the following checks performed, your community’s air conditioning equipment should be ready for the spring and summer months that are just around the corner.
1. Check Freon Levels
A registered trade name of Dupont, Freon is a liquid that has been used as a refrigerant for decades. Simply put, an air conditioner that runs on Freon and has a leak in the Freon line will not perform efficiently, and a Freon air conditioner whose Freon reservoir is empty will not cool at all.
Repairing Freon lines and/or refilling the Freon reservoir are quite inexpensive compared to replacing the air conditioning unit, which has been done countless times by communities that falsely assumed a unit was broken because it no longer created cool air. A provider of community association management can coordinate for Freon to be checked.
2. Check Oil Ports
Many air handlers feature oil ports that are located near the fan motor and other places in the air distribution unit. Unless the ports are oiled on a scheduled basis, the movable equipment in the unit can overheat and prematurely wear out, necessitating an expensive HVAC equipment replacement. Oiling the ports in HVAC equipment can typically be done by consulting the owner’s manual. Community maintenance workers should be able to handle the job.
3. Check Air Distribution Fans
As their name implies, air distribution fans force air through ductwork and out of air registers. Fans that make a squealing noise may have a loose belt, and fans whose blades are covered in dust won’t force the same level of air through registers as a fan that has clean blades. Air distribution fans often use more electricity than any other HVAC component, so it is imperative to ensure that the fans are clean and operating efficiently.
4. Check Air Ducts
Over time, air ducts can develop leaks that reduce air pressure in the duct system, and thus reduce air pressure that comes from registers. One of the main signs of leaky vents is that you have to set the thermostat at a lower temperature than the one you want to achieve. Leaks in ductwork can be identified with the use of smoke pencils. Thankfully, the leaks are usually quite easy to repair.
Start Preparing Today
To ensure that your community’s air conditioning units are ready for the heat of summer, now is a good time to start inspecting them for possible maintenance issues and repairs. If you live in a warm climate, the mild temperatures of winter will soon progress to the heat of summer.
If your community has not had its air conditioners checked yet, now is a good time to have a community association management schedule an HVAC company to perform equipment checks that the community maintenance crew may not be qualified to perform.
Amanda Causey
