With warm weather just around the corner, spring is the perfect time to ensure your air conditioner is working properly. Air conditioners are typically not used all year round, especially when you live in Southern Ontario. Instead, they’re used heavily over the summer months, when temperatures can rise to 40ºC. Spring is the ideal time to maintain your AC unit, with regular inspection and early intervention helping to ensure lower cooling costs and system longevity.

Types of air conditioners

There are two main types of air conditioners found in Canadian homes: central AC units and ductless AC units. Both types consist of a condenser that sits outside your home and an evaporator that sits inside your home. In both situations, coolant passes between these units to enable air cooling.

The basic functionality of all air conditioners is quite simple, with hot air carried from indoors to the evaporator via the condenser. When the hot air is captured by the outdoor evaporator, it is released into the atmosphere. The difference between captured hot air and released cool air creates a temperature differential, which can be controlled via a user interface panel or remote control.

• Central AC systems involve ductwork, with cool air sent through the air handler on your furnace into the rest of the house. These systems are largely noise-free and invisible, with no vents or units needed on the ceiling or walls.
• Also known as a mini-split air conditioning system, ductless AC units involve a connection between an outdoor condenser and a box on your wall. While not noise-free or invisible, modern AC units are very quiet and slim.

What does air conditioning maintenance involve?

Looking after your air conditioner involves regular inspection and seasonal maintenance. While you can perform some of these jobs yourself, most of them are best left to the experts. AC units come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and configurations, with different technologies requiring different types of maintenance.

In all situations, however, the following components need to be inspected on a regular basis:

• Filters play an integral role in all air conditioners. Dirty or clogged filters can reduce AC efficiency, compromise air quality, and affect system longevity. Inspecting and replacing filters is one of the primary tasks of AC maintenance.
• Coils are found in both evaporator and condenser units. Coils often collect dirt over time, which reduces airflow, adds unwanted insulation, and reduces absorption capabilities. To avoid this problem, regular inspection and cleaning is needed.
• Fins are found on evaporator and condenser coils, and these aluminum components are easily bent and often out of place. Old fins can block airflow through the coil, with AC maintenance replacing fins or servicing the unit with a fin comb.
• Seals are found on all air conditioners, and old or damaged seals are likely to compromise cooling performance. Air conditioning maintenance involves checking seals and replacing them when necessary.

The easy way to maintain your air conditioner

If you want to maintain your air conditioner in Southern Ontario, Aire One is here to help. As one of the largest HVAC companies in the region, we support the local community with 9 locations, more than 150 trucks, and over 120,000 happy customers. If you want to learn more about our air conditioning maintenance services, please contact Aire One Barrie at 705-315-0390 or request an estimate online.