Starting Up Your New Air Conditioner: How to Check Individual Components?

With winter coming to an end, most of the United States is beset by precarious weather conditions, including rain, thunderstorms, and snow. But one region continues to enjoy tropical, humid temperatures. Florida, aptly named the Sunshine State, stays warm year-round and registers an average temperature of 68 degrees Fahrenheit even in March (Source). No wonder the residents of cities like Miami and New Port Richey rack up such high air conditioning bills. For them, air conditioning is necessary to stay cool and comfortable. So, if your cooling system is on the fritz either due to age or negligence, chances are you will have to get a new AC.

But how do you determine whether the new equipment offers the desired economy, reliability, longevity, and fuel consumption? Unfortunately, you cannot ascertain any of these factors until you operate the equipment. Most of the time, AC failures occur due to inoperative safety devices or controls. So, you need to pay attention to the various components while readying the AC for service. Make it a point to follow the measures below for zero equipment malfunction and hassle-free operations of your new air conditioner:

Notice the Individual Components

AC models normally consist of five different parts:

• Compressor
• Fan
• Condenser coil (Hot)
• Condenser coil (Cold)
• Chemical refrigerant

Only when all these components operate in sync will your new cooling system perform efficiently. Otherwise, you may experience various problems, ranging from inadequate cooling to loud noises. That’s why it’s important to test them thoroughly. The moment you detect any problem, understand that your AC is in need for a professional a call.

Compressor

If you’re a Florida native, you know that an AC has to run for a long time before it can make a noticeable difference to the indoor temperature of your home. But that puts a lot of pressure on your new system. To prevent any mishaps, energize the crankcase heater for a minimum of eight hours before starting up the system.  Plus, ensure the crankcase heater stays energized for the rest of the season. This way, no refrigeration ‘migration’ will occur whenever the compressor remains idle. Also, pay attention to the crankcase oil level and inspect the compressor lubricating oil for acidity and color.

AC Motor

Despite being a new model, your new AC might have gathered dust while sitting on the shelves of the appliance store or the warehouse. That’s why it is necessary to check the air passages of open AC motors for any obstructions. Plus, do not forget to determine the state of the motor bearings. Apply lubricating oil, if necessary.

Another important step involves checking for low resistance. Insulation resistance readings are necessary for this reason. Do not switch on the AC motor if the readings indicate the resistance to be less than one megaohm. Bring this to the attention of an AC professional immediately.

Chemical Refrigerant

The AC refrigerant circuit must have a moisture indicator. And upon detection of any traces of moisture, a new drier core or liquid line has to be installed. But before doing so, detect the source of the moisture and fix the problem. Keep an eye on the Freon site glass and test every connection and coil for signs of Freon leakage. Do not forget the expansion valve for smooth operations, and superheat settings across the whole operation.

Pump

The pump of your air conditioning system must be thoroughly inspected for packings, seals, shaft couplings, and bearings. Also, lubricate the bearings, if required.

Fans

Carefully check the AC fans for loose, damaged blades. Switch out the existing air filters with new ones if they appear too dirty. Inspect the condition of the fan belt and the tension. Also, pay attention to the condition of the fan shaft, hubs, and bearings.

Get your new air conditioning system inspected in New Port Richey and other Florida cities by a local repairing agency.  Such a service can help prevent any operational problems later, allowing you to stay cool and comfortable throughout the summer months.