Why is having annual AC maintenance important?

The main purpose of maintaining your AC on a regular basis is to prevent premature failure. If you ignore this important task, you will shorten the lifespan of your unit, and you will reduce it’s efficiency and effectiveness. A properly maintained AC could last up to 20 - 25 years, depending on it’s location. Another good reason to maintain your AC is that your manufacturer requires it to keep their warranty in effect.

What does annual maintenance include?

First, your outdoor unit needs to be throughly cleaned. An AC unit is air cooled to complete the refrigerant cycle, and thus it draws air constantly through a fin/tube coil during operation. While it does so, it brings dirt and debris along with the air that it needs. There is no air filter in the outdoor unit. If left unclean, dirt and debris can accumulate and can restrict the flow of air causing the unit to operate abnormally, forcing it to use more energy to cool your home. Energy is expensive, don’t waste it. Moisture will also collect in the dirty coils and cause corrosion that leads to premature failure. Technicians at WB Koehler Air Conditioning use the industry leading coil cleaners to keep your AC working like new.

Secondly, the cleanliness of your indoor air unit is even more important. Not only should you be concerned for the above reasons, but also for the health of your family. It is vital to maintain a clean environment, your home. The air you breathe in is circulated by your indoor air handler, and if it becomes contaminated by mold, allergens, and other biological, and chemical sources your home can become an unhealthy environment. To keep your air and equipment clean and healthy, it is imperative to have UV light protection to maintain your Indoor Air Quality. UV light not only kills germs, but also prevents the growth of mold, and saves on energy and maintenance costs. Also, working in conjunction with UV light is a good quality air filter that can capture particulates at the micron level. Then AC drain pipes should be flushed clean.

Finally, after the indoor air filter is changed, equipment performance should be checked to make sure the original equipment manufacturer’s specifications for refrigerant pressures and temperatures are being met. Also, the equipment’s electrical loads should be checked to see if they meet their specifications. Some electrical components can be tested to see if their performance has diminished, and if so, they can be easily replaced during annual maintenance to prevent a future malfunction, which can save you expensive repair costs. If performed properly, annual maintenance of your AC system can be to your advantage in the form of lower energy costs, fewer repairs, and best of all, a longer lifespan! Call us at 772-222-7361 to schedule your maintenance today, so that WB Koehler Air Conditioning can help you to achieve these goals.

How can I tell if my store bought air filters are good?

Many people wonder whether the air filters that they’re buying from the hardware store or their local supermarket are good enough to provide the filtration that protects the AC equipment while providing clean air for the home. If you ask the experts they will tell you to purchase a 10 MERV or higher filter for maximum protection. Most filters that are purchased at your local stores are rated 5 -8 MERV. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. The MERV rating system is intended to be used to determine the filter’s ability to remove particulates from the air. An air filter’s MERV rating is a scale from 1-16 that describes the minimum efficiency of the air filter. So, you may ask, What MERV should I use? If you are susceptible to allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions, then you may want to use a filter with a MERV rating of about 10 to 12. These types of filters are sufficient to trap particles as small as 1 micron such as automobile exhaust, pollen, and mold spores. If you’re not concerned about trapping such particulates, then the store bought 5-8 MERV filters are good, but they would need to be changed more often. Probably once a month for a 5 MERV filter, every two months for 8 MERV. If the filters you purchase are not rated for MERV, then I would recommend that you buy from HVAC companies. You may be surprised by a lower or equal cost for much better filters! Call us for a free quote.