Air Conditioner Maintenance near you

Natural Resources Canada says the best time to service a central air conditioner is just before the cooling season. On a central system or a heat pump, the technician usually works on both halves of the system, the outdoor condensing unit and the indoor coil that sits on the furnace or air handler, following the manufacturer's service instructions.

Natural Resources Canada advises keeping the outdoor condenser free of obstructions such as plants and leaves, and vacuuming or brushing the outdoor coil to keep it clear of dirt, leaves and grass clippings. Cut the power at the outdoor disconnect before touching the unit, and leave anything inside the cabinet to a technician.

A sealed cooling system doesn't use up its refrigerant, so a low charge usually means a leak, and adding refrigerant without finding it only postpones the problem. Natural Resources Canada says that if a central air conditioner still underperforms after filter maintenance and coil cleaning, a competent service contractor should check the refrigerant level, and that leaks should be fixed and the refrigerant recycled when service is performed.

Provincial rules decide who may do that work. In Quebec, refrigerants may not be released into the air, and installing, servicing or repairing air-conditioning equipment is reserved for holders of the environmental halocarbon qualification required by the provincial halocarbon regulation. In Ontario, the province's rules on ozone-depleting substances and other halocarbons state that only a certified technician may remove, discharge, handle and dispose of these refrigerants, and that the refrigerant certificate alone doesn't allow work on the equipment, which also takes a trade certificate of qualification.

Before the first hot spell, clear away whatever winter left around the outdoor unit, remove any cover, put in a fresh filter and check that the condensate drain is clear. Some manuals ask you to restore power to the outdoor unit well before the first start so the compressor can warm up. Follow the start-up steps in your own manual, and book a technician if the unit went through a flood, a severe storm or dusty renovation work.

In the fall, a central air conditioner is simply switched off at the thermostat, and the manual will say whether to cut power to the outdoor unit for the winter. Covers are the manufacturer's call: some allow a breathable top cover to keep ice and debris out, while others advise against wrapping the unit, since trapped moisture can cause corrosion and attract rodents. A heat pump is different. Its outdoor unit keeps working all winter, so it must never be covered and needs to stay clear of snow and ice.

Room units need less work but regular attention. Natural Resources Canada advises cleaning their air filters at least once each season, because a dirty filter reduces airflow and can even damage the unit, keeping the condenser clean and free of leaves and debris, and clearing condensate drain holes or tubes that become blocked.

Efficiency slips gradually as a system collects dirt and ages. Regular maintenance keeps a unit close to the performance it was rated for and protects your comfort on the hottest days, but it can't turn an old, inefficient system into a new one.

When replacement comes up, Natural Resources Canada states that ENERGY STAR certified central air conditioners use less energy than standard new models, and the program also certifies room air conditioners. Correct sizing and a quality installation matter as much as the label.