Inspect Your Air Conditioner to Avoid Costly Repairs – Minneapolis St. Paul, MN

In Minneapolis St. Paul, air conditioning is an important part of almost everyone’s home comfort system. Our hot, humid summers mean that air conditioning problems make us uncomfortable and grouchy. Like most Minnesota air conditioner companies, Residential Heating & Air Conditioning recommends that you have a professional inspection and cleaning of your air conditioning system once a year, preferably before the beginning of the warm season. However, you can perform a monthly check of your own that can catch problems early and save on repair or maintenance costs. Here’s what to do:

• Visual Inspection – Turn off the air conditioning, temporarily, by raising the temperature on the thermostat. Go outside to the location of your central air conditioning unit or heat pump. Look at it thoroughly, inside and out. Clear away any debris that is obstructing the outside of the ventilation louvers. Look into the inside of the system and check for leaves, rodent nests, or other debris. If there is debris inside the unit, contact Residential Heating and Air Conditioning and have the unit cleaned.
• Running Inspection – Lower the temperature on the thermostat to turn the air conditioning on, then go back outside near the central air conditioning unit or heat pump. Listen to the sounds it makes. If you hear any unusual noises, such as rattling or whining noises, contact Residential Heating & Air Conditioning to diagnose the problem.
• Inside Inspection – Your central air conditioner works with your furnace and its blower to cool your home. An A-coil, hidden in a housing is the actual source of the cold. With the air conditioner running, go to the location of your furnace and listen to the blower. If you hear any unusual mechanical noises, Contact Residential Heating & Air Conditioning for a professional inspection.
• Efficiency Check – With a hand-held thermometer, measure the air temperature near your furnace. Then, set the thermostat low enough to start the air conditioner. Measure the temperature of the air flowing out of the register nearest the furnace. It should be from 20-25 degrees lower than the intake air. If it’s not, you may have a dirty A-Coil. If that is the case, contact Residential Heating & Air conditioning to have the A-Coil cleaned. A clogged A-coil can drastically reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and raise your heating bills.
• Filter Inspection – Remove the filter from the furnace and inspect it. A clogged filter can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and should be replaced on the schedule recommended by the filter maker. If it looks dirty, replace it.

Tip: If you have cats in your home, don’t place their litter tray anywhere near your furnace. The clay particles from cat litter can create a hard coating on your air-conditioner’s A-coil and reduce its efficiency.

Get Your Air Conditioner Inspected and Tuned Up Before Summer in Minneapolis St. Paul

Have Residential Heating & Air Conditioning check, clean, and service your Twin Cities central air conditioning system annually, just before the warm weather begins. If you notice any problems with your system during your own inspections, contact us immediately. Caught early, most air conditioning problems are easily repaired at minimal cost. Left unrepaired, though, they could lead to expensive repairs or even system failure. Our expert technicians are equipped with the tools and expertise to diagnose and repair all brands of central air conditioners and heat pumps.