Last spring, when I started the air conditioner, I noticed a few issues.
The air blowing from the return vents had a musty odor.
There seemed to be less air coming from the vents and it was introducing a great deal of dust into our breathing air. Plus, the operation was noisy. I googled the problems and it seemed that they were all caused by a lack of maintenance. The equipment had sat idle over the long winter months. Dust and other contaminants had found their way inside and settled on the components, hindering operation. Anytime there’s debris within the inner workings, it restricts airflow and negatively impacts comfort, efficiency and air quality in the home. I was concerned that there might be mold growing on the cooling coil and algae thriving in the condensate drain. All of these problems are easy to solve with professional maintenance from a licensed HVAC contractor. Certified technicians are equipped with the proper tools to handle the job. They have been trained and have experience in the field. They complete a long list of tasks including lubricating moving parts, tightening electrical connections and charging refrigerant. I was convinced that we should hire a professional. My husband argued that he could manage it. I was skeptical but figured he couldn’t cause any damage. He spent hours disassembling the air conditioner and meticulously cleaning all of the various parts. Unfortunately, he couldn’t get the system back together again. I ended up calling for repair rather than maintenance, and it costs us extra to fix the problems he’d created. From now on, I will schedule proactive upkeep every spring before I turn down the thermostat for the first time.