TDLR: Check Your A/C Unit Now!

AUSTIN, TX – Few things are as miserable or expensive as a broken air conditioning system that regular maintenance could have prevented. 

Springtime is the perfect time to hire a licensed air conditioning contractor to assess your system's mechanical issues. 

Regular maintenance of your system will extend its life and help you avoid expensive health and safety issues.

However, before hiring an air conditioning contractor, consumers should check the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website (www.tdlr.texas.gov) to ensure the contractor is licensed.

“Hiring a licensed air conditioning contractor helps ensure the safety of your family and property," said TDLR Chief Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Inspector Bill Weatherly. "Checking whether your technician is licensed is important in protecting yourself from shoddy and dangerous work." 

Once you’ve confirmed that the contractor is licensed through TDLR, they should inspect several things in your cooling system. At a minimum, the contractor should:

• Check equipment cabinets for damage or missing panels.
• Check and tighten compressor, fan motor, contactor, and control panel terminations.
• Check the compressor crankcase heater (if applicable) for proper operation.
• Lubricate condenser fan motor and indoor blower motor bearings (if applicable).
• Check alignment, tension, and condition of indoor blower belt(s) (if applicable).
• Check and clean condenser coils.
• Check and clean the evaporator coil, condensate drain pan, and condensate line for free flow.  Add biocide pan tabs to condensate pan.
• Check air filters and replace them as necessary.
• Start the Indoor Blowers and perform static pressure tests to ensure proper airflow.
• Start the cooling cycle and check for refrigerant leaks.
• Check the system for proper refrigerant charge and trim charge as necessary.
• Make an operating log of all temperatures, pressures, voltages, and amperages.
• Submit a written report to the customer and report any uncorrected deficiencies.