is that cooling system ready to go?

​​Are you selling a house with a central air conditioning system?

Spring is the time to make sure cooling systems are in good working order. If an air conditioner hasn’t been turned on this year, or perhaps still has the winter cover on it – you may get a surprise when a buyer’s home inspector reports that the system is inaccessible, shut down or worst of all – doesn’t seem to work.

While there are a few things homeowners can do to extend the life of cooling equipment and keep it running at efficiently, other jobs are best left to the professionals.

Simple things that can be done by any homeowner: 

• Air filters should be routinely checked, and cleaned or replaced
• Ensure outdoor units have sufficient airflow by keeping the area around them clear of storage, shrubbery and other obstructions.
• Other maintenance tasks are best left to professional HVAC companies.  Heating, ventilating and air conditioning technicians are licensed professionals who have the knowledge, the experience and the right tools to keep both heating and cooling systems in good working order. 

What does a licensed HVAC technician do? 

• The cooling coil inside a furnace or air handler should be checked every year and cleaned as necessary - dirt impedes airflow and insulates the coil, reducing the cooling ability of the system.
• Outdoor coils can get very dirty and should be carefully cleaned. The aluminum cooling fins on outdoor coils need to be closely inspected and straightened if necessary.
• Air ducts should be checked for leaks and obstructions. A qualified technician can identify system losses and make corrections which will enhance performance and reduce energy costs.
• The proper pressures in the refrigeration loop should be checked. Again, only a qualified technician will have the tools and experience necessary to determine whether a cooling system is working at peak performance levels.

Government and utilities understand the importance of equipment maintenance and offer incentives and rebates for homeowners to improve or upgrade their systems. 

Let’s get ahead of the game by making sure air conditioners "spring" to life before someone else finds out they don’t!

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