You probably know that you should schedule AC maintenance before the weather heats up. You’ve surely been told that it will keep your air conditioner from having as many problems, saving you from breakdowns or repair needs. You might even know that it will help your air conditioner run more efficiently, so your electric bill won’t creep up and up, and that it will maximize your air conditioner’s life expectancy.
But you might have a better understanding of traditional AC maintenance than ductless maintenance. If you have a ductless system, what maintenance does it need? Is it different from central AC maintenance? What is the process of ductless AC maintenance like? Let’s explain!
Maintenance All Air Conditioners Need
To begin with, we’ll cover the steps of maintenance that every air conditioner needs, whether it is part of a ducted or ductless system. Many of the components are the same, so many of the steps are identical.
- Cleaning: All parts of the system need to be cleaned. Dust and grime accumulate over the years and this causes major problems. Two of the biggest issues caused by dirt and grit are reduced airflow and increased friction. Both of these can contribute to overheating and serious damage to the unit, as well as simply forcing the system to work harder and use more energy.
- Lubrication: Moving parts require that their lubricant be replenished regularly. Again, this is a concern that can contribute to friction, overheating, wear and tear, and increased energy use (which means increased utility bills).
- Inspection: All parts of the system must be inspected. This will catch any small concerns before they turn into big problems that lead to system breakdowns or expensive repairs. Tightening a screw or adjusting a cockeyed fan blade could prevent these small things from causing damage to other components. This will help you avoid expense and hassle.
Unique Maintenance for Ductless Systems
There are some parts of your ductless system that aren’t quite the same as a traditional central AC system.
- Thermostats: In a central air conditioner, there’s one thermostat for the whole unit, and during maintenance, it will be checked and, if necessary, recalibrated. But with a ductless system, one of the great benefits is zone control. Each air handler has its own thermostat! That means each one needs to be checked to be sure that it’s properly calibrated.
- Drainage: In addition to separate thermostats, your ductless system has separate condensate pans and drainage lines for each air handler. If these become clogged or blocked, it can lead to mold or bacteria growth or overflowing and water damage. It’s critical that these be inspected and cleaned to avoid those problems.
- Heat Pumps: If, instead of an air conditioner, your ductless system uses a heat pump, there’s another consideration to be aware of. Since it works year-round, providing heat as well as cooling, it’s essentially doing twice the work of an air conditioner. This means twice the wear and tear, so it will need twice the maintenance. Schedule heat pump maintenance twice a year.
If you have any further questions or are ready to schedule ductless AC maintenance in Pensacola Beach, FL, we’d love to hear from you.
For professional AC services, look no further than Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. Contact us today!