Your air conditioning system is about more than just air
conditioning. It’s also about heating and ventilation. That’s there the HVAC
acronym comes in. Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning. Normal maintenance on
the air conditioning aspect of the system is routine and easy enough.
Just as you should take care to maintain the air
conditioning part of your HVAC system, the condenser coils, compressor and
evaporator -- you should also take care to maintain the very heart of the
system; the fan.
Inside your house, if you have a split-unit AC system,
resides the furnace and the fan that drives all the air through your home.
The fan is designed to run for years and years with minimal
input from you. However, just as with cars and any other form of mechanical equipment,
it will need a little maintenance here and there.
The first thing you can do when you go to the basement or
utility closet to locate the furnace is to replace the filter. The filter is
the first line of defense in keeping your fan clean and free from dust that can
gum-up the prop shaft.
When you have the housing off, AND you have the power to the
whole unit turned off, wipe your hands along the blades. If you notice a fair
amount of dust that covers your hand when you pull it away, you’re going to
want to be sure to give the blades a good cleaning. The uneven surfaces that
the dust buildup creates will lower the effectiveness and efficiency of your
fan. Think if it like barnacles on the prop of an ocean liner.
When the power is turned on, take a listen to the fan. If
you notice any squeaks or rattles, turn the power back off. Make sure that the
fan blades are tightened down and that none of them are bent. Any such thing
can cause the whole motor to become unbalanced and vibrate very rapidly, degrading
the housing through metal fatigue. And then you’re going to have a big problem
on your hands.
Oil the fan if necessary or tighten any bets. Replace bent
blades and tighten up loose ones. By spending just a few minutes you can make
sure that your fan will last for many years to come.
All of these tips will help extend the life of your Air Conditioning Unit, but when there is a problem, it is best to call a professional service company to perform the repairs or replacements: