[sinamin]

Hi

Can anyone let me know please what I should be doing to prepare the central air for spring. I mean, does anything need cleaning or replacing? I had a person in last year and he told me that there was nothing to do.

I am curious because every month when the hydro company sends out the bill, they add some tips for energy conservation and they say to service the A/C. They don't say what to service, though - LOL

I know with the furnace, I can change filters and such but what does one do with the central air??

[ss1129]

You should check your air filter every couple of months. I bought a washable air filter for my apartment that traps way smaller particles than a standerd disposable filter. There isnt really much to service on a/c unless something is broken..like a hole in the line causing refrigerant to leak out. So no worries there.

[sinamin]

Thx for responding ss1129. Since I read your post, I decided to turn on the central air and give it a trial run so I am ready for the hot weather.

I just don't know about this thing. Even though it is still chilly outside, it does not seem to get very cold. Plus it seems like there is a lot of dust. But interestingly enough when the furnace is on, I don't feel the dust. Strange.

[Alan]

Few more tips from me ...try this and your AC will be loyal for years to you

1. Keep outdoor condenser unit free from debris | as needed

2. Clean or change air filter | once a month

3. Clean indoor coil | once a year

4. Clean drain line | once a year

[ss1129]

If its not getting cold you may want to have it serviced as it may need to have the refrigerant charged.

[cowhead]

Easy way to tell on many of the old style systems for the charge is do an amperage reading on it. The tool is about 50-80 bucks and only works on the old systems with a fixed restrictor or orafice plate. Anything with a thermostatic expansion valve it will give an erronious reading. Any questions just ask...

[dalorem]

The single most important thing a home owner can do is keep your air filter cleaned or change monthly (depending on your environment). Most A/C systems are upflow which means the air comes in from the bottom of the unit where the filter is and the coil is located on the top. Whatever the filter can not stop, the a/c coil usually does which then causes your a/c system not to operate efficiently. So always change your air filter. Another thing you can do is hose off your condenser (the unit outside) keeping your condenser clean allows the unit to disperse the heat. That is why you feel the heat from the fan during the a/c cycle. If the coils get dirty then air can not pass threw the fins to get rid of the heat.

[cowhead]

Good advice. High head pressure from dirty outdoor coils costs the homeowner money.
Lack of indoor airflow is probably the largest percentage of calls I see in my business. Change the indoor filter and keep the coils clean.

[ninikins]

Changing the filter every month seems a bit much to me, but what would be the average number of times to do so a year be?

[sam]

Wow, I did not know that it was supposed to be changed on a monthly basis, but I guess that would keep itin great working condition, I usually change it every couple of months or so.