Before moving into a new home, you’ll have many items to complete on your home inspection checklist. Among the most important systems to have checked out is the central air conditioner. Here are a few simple things you can check yourself to ensure that the air conditioner is working properly and has been regularly maintained.
Ask the homeowner for the age of the air conditioner and furnace. If it’s older than 10 years old, it will need to be replaced within a couple years, possibly sooner if it has not been regularly maintained.
While Superior Plumbing and Heating can provide a complete HVAC system inspection to find any potential problems that could cause trouble down the road, If you want to perform a basic check the central cooling system yourself, here’s what to look for.
Check the Condenser Unit Outside the Home
- The outside section of the air conditioner, called the condenser, should be clean and unobstructed.
- The unit draws air in from the sides to dissipate heat, so ensure that there are no trees, shrubs or other objects near the unit that could reduce air flow.
- The fins and condensing coils of the air conditioner should be clean, without excessive dirt or debris that could also reduce performance. Check for damaged metal fins.
- The air conditioner should be located on a clean level surface, preferably a stone or cement slab. The unit may also be suspended from the side of the house. In either case ensure that the unit is level and that the refrigerant lines are not stressed.
Inside the Home
- If the air conditioner is not running, turn the thermostat down about five degrees cooler than the indoor temperature. Once the AC is on, check outside again to ensure the fan at the condenser unit is turning. The unit should make a steady sound when operating. If it makes rumbling, rattling or other strange sounds or surges, have an HVAC technician inspect the unit.
- Check that the furnace air filter is clean and the right size for the unit. A dirty filter reduces air flow, which reduces efficiency and increases the likelihood of problems. If the furnace and filter look excessively dirty, the unit should be thoroughly inspected by a qualified HVAC technician.
- After the air conditioner has been running for at least 15 minutes, check the temperature of the conditioned air coming out of the register closest to the evaporator cooling inside the home. Blowing air will naturally feel cool on your skin, so use a thermometer to accurately measure the temperature and ensure it’s consistently cold from different rooms in the house.
In addition to removing heat from the home, an air conditioner also removes humidity from the air. This is the role of the evaporator coil. A drain pan sits below the evaporator coil and empties condensation (water) into a drain line. Ensure that the line is unobstructed and the pan is draining completely. Also inspect the pan and coil for signs of mold or mildew.
While the above items cover the basics of a central air conditioner inspection, there’s no substitute for a comprehensive, professional cooling system inspection performed by a trained technician. So the next time you’re moving into a new home, give us a call. You’ll rest easy knowing your air conditioner is operating reliably and efficiently.