Air Conditioner Maintenance: How to Maintain Peak Performance

Summer is the season for enjoying your home at its best, whether that means relaxing indoors during a heatwave or making the most of outdoor living spaces. Alongside small aesthetic upgrades and seasonal home maintenance projects, ensuring your air conditioning system is operating efficiently is one of the simplest ways to improve comfort and prevent unexpected breakdowns during peak cooling season.

In the field of air conditioning, what’s the secret to ensuring optimal performance? The answer lies in regular maintenance. In this article, we will answer key questions such as how often to maintain your air conditioning system, which tasks you can do yourself, and what qualifications a professional should have. Read on to learn more about best practices and how proper maintenance can help keep your home comfortable all summer long.

How often should your air conditioner be serviced?

Source: Reno Quotes

The frequency of air conditioning maintenance varies depending on the components. While the fan and coil can be checked every five years, filters should be cleaned every month.

A dirty filter not only requires more energy to push air through the ducts but also increases the risk of fires due to dust accumulation.

However, when it comes to overall maintenance of your ventilation system, several factors determine the frequency:

• The number of people in your home

• The size of your home

• Your location (near an airport, in a forest, etc.)

• The number of smokers

• The presence of pets with fur

• Etc.

These are all factors that can influence how often your air conditioner should be serviced. Let’s say it’s recommended to clean your air conditioning system at the following intervals:

• At least every 5 years

• Ideally every 3 years

• Possibly every year

This frequency also depends on the type of place where the air conditioning system is installed. The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommends annual maintenance in small stores. Why? To potentially:

• Replace filters

• Lubricate moving parts

• Replace belts

• Clean coils

• Check controls

• Maintain the refrigeration system

• Replace refrigerant

• Repair the pump

• Inspect electrical circuits

• Etc.

There are many elements to check during air conditioning maintenance. To determine whether your air conditioning needs a five-year, three-year, or annual maintenance cycle, inspect the interior of your unit or air diffusers. Their condition is roughly the same as your ducts.

When to Call a Professional for AC Maintenance

Source: HVAC MTL

Some air conditioner issues are best handled by a qualified technician, especially when the problem goes beyond simple cleaning or filter changes. Call a professional if your unit is not cooling properly, runs constantly, turns on and off too often, makes unusual noises, leaks water, or shows signs of freezing. These symptoms can point to electrical issues, refrigerant problems, airflow restrictions, or other faults that need expert diagnosis.

When choosing a service provider, look for a certified HVAC professional with experience working on your type of system. Ask what the visit includes, whether they provide a written estimate, and if they can explain any repairs separately from routine maintenance. A good technician should inspect the system carefully, communicate clearly, and only recommend work that is actually needed.

What is included in the maintenance services offered by a company?

We’ve already listed several items to check and potentially replace, according to ASHRAE recommendations. In practice, a professional follows these steps:

Step 1: Duct Cleaning

Depending on your air conditioning system, bacteria, viruses, and spores may accumulate in the ducts. Regular cleaning helps prevent their growth and keeps the air in your home healthy.

Step 2: AC Furnace Cleaning

Cleaning the furnace saves energy. The cleaner the ducts, the easier it is for the motor of your air conditioner to function.

Step 3: Filter System Cleaning

This step is done for the same reasons as furnace cleaning. Clean filters make air passage easier, prevent motor overuse, and save energy.

Step 4: Cleaning Air Intake and Outlets

Air intakes are essential for ensuring pure air, free of contaminants. We think of viruses, bacteria, and spores, which thrive in warm and humid environments. Keeping the intake and outlet clean also prevents overheating, reducing the fire risk.

Step 5: Cleaning the Fan and Coil

This step only needs to be done every five years or so. It takes that long for the fan and coil to get dirty. Cleaning them ensures the proper functioning of the entire ventilation system.

Step 6: Duct inspection

An air conditioning professional uses cameras to inspect the ducts of your system. This way, they can see dust buildup and detect leaks.

Step 7: Antibacterial Treatment

There are three main ways to disinfect air conditioners:

• Fumigation

• Biocide disinfection

• Use of natural thyme extract

A Bonus: Dryer Inspection

Take advantage of the professional’s presence to check your dryer’s air exchange ducts. The fibres escaping from clothes can form lint over time, leading to humidity backflow or even overheating.

What’s the cost of air conditioning maintenance?

Source: Reno Quotes

The cost of air conditioning maintenance is largely influenced by:

• The number of ventilation ducts

• Cleaning

• Antibacterial treatment

• Furnace maintenance

• Cleaning filters and external ducts

• Inspecting the air exchanger

These are the main services that significantly affect the cost of maintaining your air conditioner.

On average, the cost of maintaining an air conditioner with 10 ducts and inspecting the air exchanger is $440. However, prices range from $300 to $697 depending on the services, such as cleaning, antibacterial treatment, or furnace maintenance.

What qualifications should a professional HVAC technician have?

To avoid any issues, only hire certified contractors to work on your air conditioning system, even if it’s just for maintenance.

In Quebec, a competent professional must have a capacity certificate in refrigeration systems. There are two types:

• Refrigeration system certificate class 1 (SF-1)

• Refrigeration system certificate class 2 (SF-2)

The first allows the technician to work off-site on devices with 200 watts or more. The second permits work off-site on devices ranging from 200 W to 20 kW, containing refrigerants from group A1 or A2.

These certificates are only granted after passing an exam that tests knowledge of current technical standards in Quebec.

DIY Maintenance Tasks

Source: Reno Quotes

Homeowners can handle a few simple AC maintenance tasks on their own. These usually include replacing or cleaning the air filter, clearing leaves and debris from around the outdoor unit, checking that vents and registers are not blocked, and looking for visible signs of leaks, dirt buildup, or damage.

Before doing any of these tasks, turn off the system power first. Keep DIY maintenance limited to basic cleaning and visual checks, and leave electrical, refrigerant, and internal repairs to a professional.

How to properly clean and maintain the filters of an air conditioning unit?

Between the thorough maintenance performed by a professional, you should still clean your air conditioner regularly. It’s simple—just clean the filters once a month. Here’s how to do it in five steps:

Step 1: Open the Air Conditioner Cover

Place your fingers on each side of the air conditioner and pull towards you. A “click” will occur, and the cover will open.

Step 2: Remove the Filters

Once the cover is open, you’ll immediately see the filters. They’re usually two pieces of plastic covered with fine mesh, hiding most of the metal components.

To clean the filters, simply remove them. They are just placed in slots.

Step 3: Start Cleaning the Air Conditioning Appliance with a Vacuum

When it’s closed, you’ll notice that your air conditioning system has a long air intake running along the room. Start by vacuuming this air intake to clean the plastic slats.

Then, vacuum the upper section, which is beneath the cover and filters you just removed. Vacuum carefully, but don’t touch the metal parts.

Step 4: Use a Damp Towel

If you want to do a more detailed cleaning, grab a damp towel and wipe the slats of the air intake. This will remove any dust at the air intake.

Step 5: Clean the Filters

With the damp towel, remove as much dust as possible from the filters. Then, rinse them under water to remove any remaining dust.

Reinstall the filters once they’re fully dry. To do this, simply slide them back into their slots, and you’re done.

In summary

Regular maintenance of your air conditioning system is essential for ensuring it works well, extending its lifespan, and avoiding costly breakdowns. Whether you handle some tasks yourself or hire a certified professional, it’s important to follow best practices and adapt the maintenance frequency to your specific situation. Remember that maintaining an air conditioning system isn’t just about cleaning—it also involves thorough checks to ensure the safety and energy efficiency of your unit. Take care of your air conditioner, and it will take care of you all year long.

FAQ

Is it mandatory to maintain your home's air conditioner?

It’s not legally required to maintain your air conditioner. However, regular maintenance is highly recommended to prevent breakdowns, improve energy efficiency, and preserve indoor air quality. Some manufacturers also require annual maintenance to maintain the warranty.

What types of repairs are commonly needed for an air conditioner?

Common repairs include refrigerant leaks, dirty filters, clogged drains, electrical failures, and debris buildup in the outdoor unit. These issues can reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner and cause more severe damage if not addressed promptly.

How much does yearly air conditioner maintenance cost?

Annual air conditioner maintenance in Quebec costs an average of $440 for a system with 10 ducts and an air exchanger inspection. Prices range from $300 to $697, depending on services such as cleaning, antibacterial treatment, or furnace maintenance.

When should I call a professional for AC maintenance?

Call a professional if your AC is not cooling properly, runs constantly, turns on and off too often, makes unusual noises, leaks water, or freezes. These issues may indicate a problem that needs expert diagnosis.

What does professional AC maintenance usually include?

Professional maintenance can include checking the thermostat, tightening electrical connections, cleaning coils, inspecting the condensate drain, and testing system controls. Technicians may also check refrigerant levels and airflow.

Why is regular air conditioner maintenance important?

Regular maintenance helps your system run more efficiently, reduces the risk of breakdowns, and can extend its lifespan. It also helps keep your home comfortable during the cooling season.