All heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems require regular maintenance in order to work efficiently. But even in the best case scenarios the air conditioning components of most systems typically last, at most, 15 to 25 years. This number will vary based on the quality of the installation, the location and design of the unit, as well as the maintenance history. So if your air conditioning system has been around this long-then you can expect to have to deal with this in the near future.

● A typical central air conditioning system is a two-part or split system that includes the following:

● An outdoor unit that contains the condenser coil, electrical components compressor, and a fan.

● The evaporator coil, which typically is installed on top of the gas furnace inside of the home.

● A series of pipes, or refrigeration lines, that are connected to the inside and outside components.

● A source of refrigerant, which is the substance in the refrigeration lines that circulates through the indoor and outdoor unit.

● Air Ducts which carry the cooled air to various areas inside your home.

● A thermostat or control system used to set your desired temperature.

Indoor comfort during hot weather. Central air conditioning helps keep your home cool and reduces humidity levels in the home.

Cleaner air. Central air conditioning systems draw air out of various rooms in the house through the use of return air ducts. The air is then pulled through an air filter, which removes airborne particles such as lint and dust. Modern filters are available that can remove these and other microscopic pollutants, as well. The filtered air is then routed to air supply duct-work that carries it back to the rooms in the home.

More sunlight. More light is able to enter the home as window air conditioners, which block natural sunlight are no longer needed.

Quieter operation. Because the compressor-bearing unit is located outside of the home, the indoor noise level from its operation is much lower than that of a free-standing air conditioning

It is typically recommended that you schedule an annual professional inspection and cleaning.

This should take place before each cooling season and should be done by a certified HVAC professional. Central Air conditioning service professionals usually inspect the compressor, control box, coils, fan motor, blades and tubing. Additionally, maintenance includes checking and adjusting refrigerant levels, if necessary, and cleaning various areas of the unit.