A/C Service Call? What New Homeowners Should Expect During A Maintenance Visit
For most first time homeowners, walking away from the closing table with house keys in hand is a time of great pride. Once the boxes are unpacked and the settling in has taken place, new homeowners may find their feelings of pride being replaced by the sudden realization that they are now responsible for the care and maintenance of a house.
Homeowners who haven't yet made the call to schedule a maintenance visit for their home's air conditioning system should take time now to call a reputable air conditioning services contractor in their area as soon as possible.
Since caring for the HVAC system is such an important task, here are some things new homeowners should know about what to expect when the air conditioning services contractor arrives to perform routine maintenance on the components.
What will the technician do during the visit?
Homeowners who are having a first air conditioning maintenance visit can expect the technician to carefully examine each component of the system. Some of the most important steps the technician will take include:
- checking the thermostat to see if it is working correctly set appropriately for the weather and conditions
- performing a pressure test to determine if the system is there are leaks or air loss from the ducts
- cleaning each component, including the outside condenser unit
- replacing the filter, if needed, and lubricating the components, per manufacturer's instructions
- checking refrigerant levels, and adding more if the level is low
As the technician is performing each maintenance task, they will also be noting the age and brand of the system and any issues they feel the owner should be aware of. If a repair is found to be necessary, this need will also be discussed with the owner before moving ahead to order parts or schedule the return visit.
When should you consider additional maintenance visits?
Central air conditioning systems that are newer models with no obvious issues may only need an annual maintenance visit to remain dependable. Older models or those that seem to be struggling to cool the home may need to be professionally maintained more often to help prevent interruptions in cooling during the summer months.
What can you ask the service technician?
Homeowners who are new to the task of home maintenance can ask the technician any questions they may have about their cooling system and what they should be doing to maintain it.