Some homeowners know very little about their cooling systems outside of the fact that cooled air is blown through the vents when they turn down the thermostat. However, knowing more about your cooling system can help extend the life of the air conditioner components, as well as reduce the number of repair calls. Below are 11 basic maintenance items that every homeowner should know about their air conditioning system:
1. The location of your condenser. The condenser is the part of your air conditioning system that’s located on the exterior of your home. This unit removes the heated air from the refrigerant and returns it to your home. The location of the condenser is important because, for instance, a condenser shaded by trees or bushes is more energy efficient.
2. The power source. Most air conditioning systems, but not all, are powered by electricity. It’s important to know where the exterior service disconnect is located.
3. Where the filters are inserted. Most air conditioning systems have air filters that need to be changed periodically. Every homeowner needs to know size and placement of these filters.
4. The SEER rating. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) is the measurement of how energy-efficient your air cooling system is: The higher the number, the greater the efficiency.
5. What type of refrigerant the system uses. The refrigerant is the liquid which dissipates the heat from the living space to the exterior. Older systems use R-22 (also known as Freon). Newer systems use R-410A (Puron).
6. The MERV rating. The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) measures how efficiently your cooling system removes dust and other particulates from the air. Higher MERV ratings indicate greater performance.
7. The type of cooling system you have. There are several different kinds of systems used to cool homes. Do you have a traditional, heat pump, newer ductless or geothermal system?
8. How old is your system? If you recently purchased your home, you may not know when the air conditioning system was installed. However, it is important to obtain this information.
9. Necessary maintenance. All air conditioning systems require regular maintenance. You can avoid costly repairs by scheduling an annual service call.
10. Warranty requirements. Virtually all air cooling system warranties require that you have the system installed and serviced by a licensed HVAC professional.
11. The HSPF value. If your system uses a heat pump to transfer cool air from the ground or air from the exterior to the interior, it will have a Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF) value. This measures how efficiently the heat pump transfers energy.
To learn more about your air conditioning system and/or to schedule a professional, thorough inspection of your Connecticut or Rhode Island home, call Tom Morgan at Sound Home Inspection at (860) 445-1236. Tom is a licensed professional and a certified member of the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI). Tom has been making sure that area homes are safe and secure for more than 25 years.