Whether you own a smaller duplex or an apartment complex with lots of units, your ac system is one of the most important pieces of equipment in your building. With time, it will need repair and maintenance like any other piece of machinery. But if you want to keep your renters happy and your rental earnings coming in, ensuring that your AC unit remains in good working order is a must for any landlord.
So with that in mind, it’s time to take a look at a few simple actions you can take to ensure your system keeps running smoothly and effectively for as long as possible.
Tips for Staying on top of Routine AC Maintenance
If you’re a landlord, your first responsibility is to make sure your rental properties are safe and livable. That’s why it’s so essential to keep up with routine AC upkeep. Here are a couple of suggestions for staying on top of the air conditioning system in your rental properties:
1. Book a Professional Inspection
If you’ve had your ac system for more than five years, have it inspected a minimum of once a year by a qualified professional service technician. This will help pinpoint any problems before they end up being serious issues. If you’re uncertain whether or not your system has been inspected recently, ask the individual who installed it or call an HVAC contractor to find out when the last inspection happened.
2. Change your filters
This might seem like a no-brainer, but many individuals do not change their filters frequently enough or at all. This causes the most common problem that occurs with air conditioners, dirty filters.
An unclean filter can lead to airflow problems and leave dust and debris inside the unit itself, which can lead to early wear on the compressor motor or electrical elements. If you have a self-contained unit where you can’t see inside, use a flashlight to look for dust accumulation every 6 months or so.
3. Clear the drains
If water accumulates inside the condenser coil (the part outside), it can cause damage by freezing in time and possibly resulting in cracks in the coil itself. Clear away any leaves or sticks that might be collecting around this area to prevent this from taking place!
4. Clean your compressor coils
Clean the compressor coils once a year. This prevents dust from accumulating on them and damaging them long term. When you have a professional heating and cooling company, such as North Star Heating & Air Conditioning come out and clean your system, they will do this for you. Nevertheless, if you want to do it yourself, here are some tips:
Don’t use water to clean up the coils! Using water can cause damage to them and cause them to rust with time. Rather use compressed air or contact cleaner. You can purchase these at any hardware store or online. You can even use a shop vac with an attachment that has brushes on it (this is what professionals use). It may take a while but it’s worth it! The last thing you want is for your tenant to call due to the fact that their ac system isn’t working one day in July!
3 Locations that Need to be Examined Regularly
The three primary locations that need to be checked on a routine basis are:
- electrical connections
- the compressor
- condenser unit
The electrical connections really should be inspected routinely for any signs of wear or damage. In addition, make certain that all electrical connections are clean and free of dust and dirt. It is also good practice to check your fuses or breaker box for signs of wear or damage. If you observe any discoloration on the plastic coverings of the fuses or if they look broken or damaged in any way, it is best to change them right away with new ones.
How Often Should you Have Your AC System Serviced?
There isn’t a set timespan for regular AC maintenance. The very best way to determine how often your system needs to be serviced is by monitoring the performance of your system. If something is not working correctly, it might be time for service. In addition, if you are planning on selling your property soon, now is a great time to set up an inspection and service appointment.
Routine AC Maintenance in West Jordan, Utah
Your ac system is a significant investment, no matter what size your property is. Take care of it, and it’ll look after you (and your tenants)!
Schedule routine upkeep visits from North Star Heating & Air Conditioning every few years for general maintenance. This consists of cleaning other parts of the unit (like coils), filters, etc, looking at refrigerant levels, testing pressure gauges & more.
Call us today at (801) 285-9022 and let’s get you scheduled for routine air conditioner upkeep.
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