How Do You Know If You Need Air Conditioning Maintenance?

At Poore’s Propane and Oil, our priority is comfort and safety. This is true whether it’s icy cold or sweltering hot outside.

In addition to delivering premium fuel and heating services, we handle countless air conditioning repair jobs for families in Dover, Lewes, and other local communities across the state of Delaware. And spring is an excellent time to take stock of your home’s cooling systems! After all, why not arrange necessary repairs before summer season arrives in full force?

A/C Maintenance is a Great Way to Avoid Repairs

As the saying goes: an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Keeping up with your air conditioning maintenance can stop breakdowns before they start.

Our expert technicians can perform an annual tune-up that will keep your cooling system running efficiently—and for its full lifespan!

But there’s also some maintenance you can handle on your own. Before summer rolls around, we recommend you:

• Clean or replace your A/C system’s air filter.
• Clean your condenser coils.
• Empty the drain pan.
• Pass a wire through your condensate drain to clear clogs.

Indicators That You May Need A/C Repair

While regular A/C maintenance can avert a lot of system issues, all cooling equipment eventually loses efficiency and encounters problems. Pay attention and check for these warning signs that you need an air conditioning repair:

Strange Noises

Well-operating systems run quietly. If you hear a clanging sound, there could be a compressor issue. Squealing sounds might mean a fan needs lubrication.

Grinding can mean that the compressor is nearing the end of its life.

Leaks from Your Equipment

Moisture accumulates on condenser coils whenever your system runs. It generally drains into a pan, but a clog can cause fluid to leak. This is a relatively simple fix. More concerning and expensive is a leak caused by low refrigerant.

Warm or Insufficient Air

The cause here could be as simple as a dirty air filter, which is easy and cheap to solve. However, the culprit could also be low refrigerant or broken mechanisms, which require a professional to fix.

Unpleasant Odors

There could be damaged wiring if you notice a burnt smell near your equipment. A sour odor would indicate mildew or bacteria.

When You Should Replace Your A/C

While making the choice to replace a cooling system is no small decision, there are times when it makes financial sense to upgrade your equipment instead of repairing it.

You should probably replace your system if:

• It’s more than 10 years old.
• Its efficiency rating is lower than 13-SEER. Today’s systems are 14-SEER or higher. Upgrading from lower-efficiency equipment will reduce your energy bills and improve your summertime comfort.
• Your A/C uses R-22 refrigerant. This environmentally harmful product has been discontinued. Replacing it—or parts for R-22 systems—is prohibitively expensive.
• The cost of the necessary repairs is more than 50 percent of the cost of a new system.

In Delaware, the Poore’s Propane team is here to solve your home cooling issues! Contact us for service today to get ready for the summer ahead!