A Refrigerant Charge Can Give a Boost to a Warm A/C

Summer is upon us in Broken Arrow, and the air conditioner is something that everyone expects to work as well as last year. However, many homeowners are unaware that they should be checking their refrigerant charge to ensure effective and efficient cooling throughout the hottest part of the year. In a perfect world, your air conditioner would dutifully perform its job until the end of its warranty, but in reality, preventive maintenance is necessary to keep it cooling as it should.

Reasons to Check Refrigerant Charge

An air conditioner is a complex system of copper tubing, compressor and an evaporator coil that should be sealed to keep refrigerant inside. However, minor refrigerant leaks can occur that are not quite bad enough to purge the system of coolant completely. These leaks can cause enough of a leak that your A/C unit has a hard time keeping up with cooling needs in the dead of summer. If this happens, you will need to have your refrigerant charge topped off. Common causes for leaks include:

• Faulty parts

• Worn connectors

• Corrosion eating through components

• Vibrations causing holes in copper line

Schedule a Service Call

Whether you notice your A/C unit struggling to keep up with your annual cooling needs or not, it is a good idea to have a certified technician come out and check your refrigerant charge. Not only will this keep your unit running as efficiently as it should, it may also warn you of any impending problems you may have. Large leaks have to be fixed, and it is much better to discover them before the heat makes waiting on a service call miserable. Setting some time aside to make the call to your local service center to have a technician come out is a small investment considering the benefits of a properly tuned air conditioner.

Keeping your A/C functioning takes active involvement, and if you need expert advice or maintenance, please contact us at Air Assurance Heating, Air Conditioning, Plumbing. We have been industry leaders in the Broken Arrow region for nearly three decades.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Chatchawan/Shutterstock”

Your Heat Pump Will Last Longer With Routine Preventive Maintenance

With Oklahoma’s fall and winter months approaching, preventive maintenance and inspection of your home’s heat pump system will help avoid expensive repairs in the cold season ahead. You'll also enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing your system is working at optimum efficiency, thereby saving you money. Here are a few do-it-yourself steps you can perform to ensure long-term efficiency:

• Begin the inspection and cleaning of your heat pump by switching off power to both your inside and outdoor systems. The inspection and cleaning of your heat pump are the only times power should be shut off.

• Set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature; regulating the temperature helps your heat pump perform the most efficiently.

• Clean or replace your air filters once every one to three months.

• Drain the condensate pan and clean the trap once every one to three months.

• If your system’s indoor coils are accessible, check them every month and clean when necessary.

• To achieve peak airflow from your air registers, make sure they are not blocked by furniture or other objects.

• Check and clean the area in and around your heat pump’s outdoor system, keeping the area clear of leaves, grass clippings and other debris.

If you notice unusual sounds emanating from your heat pump, it isn’t performing to your expectation or you are not confident in performing the above steps, call your heat pump contractor for further inspection.  In fact, professional heat pump maintenance should be performed annually. This annual service should include:

• Lubrication of motors

• Belt check for tension and proper operation

• Thermostat testing

• Inspection of ducts for leakage and airflow

• Change of filters

• Cleansing of blower and coils

• Inspection of the refrigerant charge

• Tightening of electrical terminal connections and the application of non-conductive coatings, if necessary

If you need heat pump maintenance in the Broken Arrow and Tulsa metro area, our NATE-certified technicians are always ready to help. For an expert consultation, contact Air Assurancetoday.Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). Air Assurance services Tulsa, Broken Arrow and the surrounding areas. Visit our websiteto see our current promotionsand get started today!      Photo courtesy ofShutterstock.