Air Conditioner Maintenance

Why Should You Have an Air Conditioner Maintenance?

We get asked all the time, "Is an air conditioner maintenance really worth it?" After all, your neighbour's air conditioner has been running for years without any problems, and they've never had it serviced. So why should you?

It's true—there are air conditioners that were installed 20 years ago, charged with R-22 refrigerant (which is no longer used), and are still cooling today despite never having had a maintenance. But just because one unit has been lucky doesn't mean every system will be.

I wouldn't recommend relying on luck as a maintenance plan.

Every home is different. Installation quality, how often the system runs, outdoor conditions, and the surrounding environment all affect how long an air conditioner lasts. In our experience, neglected air conditioners are much more likely to develop problems over time, even if they still appear to be cooling the home.

Your Air Conditioner Can Be Cooling... and Still Have a Problem

Many homeowners assume that if cool air is coming out of the registers, everything is fine. Unfortunately, that's not always the case.

For example, your supply air temperature may be warmer than it should be. If the air coming from your registers is consistently in the high 50s or even the 60s, it could indicate an airflow restriction, a dirty condenser coil, low refrigerant, or another issue that is reducing the system's performance.

A maintenance allows us to identify these problems before they become major repairs.

Electrical Components Wear Out

Your air conditioner relies on several electrical components to operate properly. One of the most common failures we see is a weak or failing capacitor.

Capacitors naturally lose their capacitance over time. When this happens, the condenser fan motor or compressor may struggle to start or fail to start altogether, often resulting in a no-cooling service call on one of the hottest days of the year.

Testing the capacitor during routine maintenance can often identify a problem before it causes a breakdown.

Dirty Outdoor Condenser Coils

The outdoor unit constantly pulls air through the condenser coil. Over time, dirt, grass clippings, dust, and other debris collect on the coil.

When the coil becomes dirty, the air conditioner cannot reject heat as efficiently. This causes higher operating pressures, reduced cooling performance, higher electrical consumption, and unnecessary strain on the compressor.

Cleaning the outdoor coil is one of the most important parts of air conditioner maintenance.

Airflow Is Critical

An air conditioner depends on proper airflow.

A dirty furnace filter restricts airflow across the indoor evaporator (A-coil). When airflow becomes too low, the evaporator can become excessively cold and eventually freeze over. A frozen coil not only stops the system from cooling properly but can also lead to compressor damage if the problem is ignored.

During maintenance, we inspect the air filter and verify that airflow appears normal.

The Indoor Evaporator Coil

The indoor evaporator coil (commonly called the A-coil) is located above the furnace.

Over time, dust and debris can accumulate on the coil, restricting airflow and reducing heat transfer. This can decrease efficiency and contribute to frozen coils and poor cooling performance.

When accessible, we inspect the evaporator coil for signs of excessive dirt or blockage.

Maintenance Helps Find Problems Early

No maintenance can guarantee your air conditioner will never break down. Mechanical equipment can fail without warning.

However, routine maintenance gives us the opportunity to identify developing problems before they become expensive repairs or complete system failures.

Whether it's a weak capacitor, dirty condenser coil, airflow restriction, low refrigerant, or another issue, catching the problem early often saves money and helps keep your home comfortable throughout the summer.

What Is Included in an Air Conditioner Maintenance?

Our maintenance service includes a thorough inspection of your air conditioning system, including:

Inspecting the outdoor condenser.
Cleaning the outdoor condenser coil (when required).
Checking refrigerant pressures.
Measuring the temperature difference across the evaporator coil.
Testing the capacitor.
Checking the contactor for wear.
Inspecting electrical connections.
Verifying proper operation of the condenser fan motor.
Checking the compressor operation.
Inspecting the indoor evaporator drain and drain line (where accessible).
Testing thermostat operation.
Confirming the system starts, runs, and shuts down properly.

Why Is Air Conditioner Maintenance Important?

Regular maintenance can help:

Improve system efficiency.
Lower energy consumption.
Catch worn electrical components before they fail.
Identify refrigerant problems early.
Reduce the chance of unexpected breakdowns.
Extend the life of your air conditioner.
Help maintain manufacturer warranty requirements.