Air conditioner maintenance checklist
Version 1 · https://conformata.io/checklists/facilities/air-conditioner-maintenance-checklist · Made with Conformata. Guidance, not legal advice; sources at https://conformata.io/checklists/facilities/air-conditioner-maintenance-checklist/sources
Air conditioner maintenance checklist
Free air conditioner maintenance checklist: filters, coils, condensate drain, electrical checks, readings, and refrigerant handling under EPA rules.
How often: Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the unit, or the interval set by your organization's maintenance plan.
- Sections
- 9
- Checks
- 47
- Critical
- 1
- Sources
- 43
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Unit number or asset tag *
Location of the indoor and outdoor units *
Type of unit *
Room unit: window or portable air conditioner, or packaged terminal air heat pump (factory-sealed)Split systemPackaged rooftop unitChillerOther
Refrigerant type, as shown on the nameplate *
Full refrigerant charge, from the nameplate or the owner's records
lb
Date of service *
Name of the person doing the work *
Anyone who will open the refrigerant circuit has passed a technician certification exam from an EPA-approved program *
YesNoN/A
Technician certification type and number
Power to the unit is switched off, locked out and checked dead before panels are opened or parts are touched *
YesNo
The manufacturer's maintenance instructions for this model are at hand *
YesNo
Air filter was cleaned or replaced, or is clean and within the manufacturer's change interval *
YesNo
Filter is the size and type the manufacturer specifies and fits with no gaps around it *
YesNo
Indoor (evaporator) coil is clean, with no ice, heavy dirt or flattened fins *
YesNo
Indoor blower wheel is clean and the motor turns freely without rubbing or unusual noise *
YesNo
Drive belts are free of cracks and fraying and set to the manufacturer's tension
YesNoN/A
Condensate drain line and trap are clear and water drains freely when poured into the pan *
YesNo
Drain pan has no standing water, rust, cracks or slime *
YesNo
Overflow or float switch stops the unit when tested
YesNoN/A
Outdoor unit has the clearances the manufacturer specifies and is free of leaves, debris and plant growth *
YesNoN/A
Condenser coil is clean and its fins are straight *
YesNoN/A
Condenser fan blade is undamaged and the motor runs without noise or vibration *
YesNoN/A
Unit sits level and secure on its pad, curb or brackets *
YesNo
Insulation on the refrigerant lines is intact and not crushed or missing
YesNoN/A
Electrical connections are tight, with no burnt, corroded or damaged wiring *
YesNo
Run and start capacitors are not bulging or leaking and read within their rating
YesNoN/A
Contactor points are not pitted or burned
YesNoN/A
Thermostat or controller starts and stops cooling at its set point *
YesNo
Compressor running current
A
Return air temperature at the indoor unit
°F
Supply air temperature at the indoor unit
°F
Unit starts, runs and shuts off normally through a full cooling cycle *
YesNo
There are signs of a refrigerant leak, such as oily residue at joints, hissing, or a leak detector alarm *
YesNo
Only when the refrigerant circuit was opened or refrigerant was added or removed. Otherwise mark N/A.
Before the circuit was opened, refrigerant was recovered into recovery equipment rather than released *
YesNoN/A
No refrigerant was knowingly vented or released during the work *
YesNoN/A
Recovery or recycling equipment carries EPA certification for this refrigerant and appliance type and was used as its manufacturer directs *
YesNoN/A
Refrigerant added during this visit
lb
Appliance with a full charge of 50 lb or more of class I or class II refrigerant: the owner calculated the leak rate after refrigerant was added
YesNoN/A
Appliance with a full charge of 15 lb or more of an HFC regulated under 40 CFR Part 84, or a substitute with a global warming potential above 53, not used for residential or light commercial air conditioning: the owner calculated the leak rate after refrigerant was added
YesNoN/A
Where the leak rate is above the applicable limit (10% for comfort cooling), the leaks are being repaired within 30 days of the refrigerant addition
YesNoN/A
Appliance with 50 lb or more of class I or class II refrigerant: the owner received a record of the work showing the appliance and its location, the date, the parts serviced, the type of work on each part, the name of the person doing it, and the type and amount of refrigerant added
YesNoN/A
Appliance covered by the HFC leak repair rule: the owner received a record of the work showing the appliance and its location, the date, the parts serviced, the type of work on each part, the name of the person doing it, and the type and amount of refrigerant added
YesNoN/A
Condition after maintenance *
In service, no defectsIn service, repair neededOut of service until repaired
Defects found, parts replaced and follow-up needed
Next service due
Photos of the nameplate and any defects
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Signature of the person doing the work
Sign the printed copy, or sign electronically in Conformata.
I carried out the maintenance recorded above on the date shown.
Signature
Name and date
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need EPA technician certification to maintain an air conditioner?
The requirement applies to a person who could reasonably be expected to violate the integrity of the refrigerant circuit [26]. That person must pass a certification exam offered by an approved technician certification program [25]. The EPA rules apply to anyone maintaining, servicing or repairing appliances with these refrigerants [4].
Is it legal to release refrigerant from an air conditioner?
Do EPA leak repair rules apply to my air conditioner?
It depends on the refrigerant and the full charge. Appliances with 50 lb or more of class I or class II refrigerant fall under 40 CFR 82.157 [14]. Appliances with 15 lb or more of an HFC or a substitute with a global warming potential above 53 fall under 40 CFR 84.106 [27] [28], except those used for residential and light commercial air conditioning [30]. Commercial split systems and packaged rooftop units are examples of comfort cooling appliances [5].
Is a window air conditioner a "small appliance" under EPA rules?
Yes. A small appliance is fully manufactured, charged and hermetically sealed in a factory with 5 lb or less of refrigerant [6], and the definition lists room air conditioners, including window and portable air conditioners, and packaged terminal air heat pumps [7]. Refrigerant is still recovered before a small appliance is opened [12].
Built from 43 official sources
Every check traces to the text it is based on. Read the purpose, how to use it, the rules behind it, what it does not cover and every source.
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Guidance, not legal advice. It does not replace the law, the manufacturer's instructions or your organization's competent people, and completing it does not certify that work is safe.