Should HVAC Maintenance Be Routine?
Most HVAC experts agree that you should have your AC looked at once a year. That is mainly because there are a lot of constituent parts in an air conditioner. While some parts may not need to be checked out every year, there are other parts that do. When the more delicate parts fail or are compromised, they affect all other constituent parts. It’s like a domino effect and it can hinder the performance of your unit and shorten its lifespan overall. So in order to save money on costly AC repairs or replacement and to make sure your AC is cooling your home efficiently (a compromised AC unit can cost you hundreds of dollars a year in utilities) you should definitely have it professionally maintained regularly.
How Often Should You Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced?
So just how often should you have your AC serviced and when is the best time to do it? What if you have a brand new unit? The experts still agree that even if you have recently installed a new AC unit, it should still be serviced once a year. Ideally, you should have your AC looked at by a professional in the spring before the summer season rolls around. Annual AC maintenance is even more important if your unit is 5-10 years old. Air conditioning maintenance frequency needs to be maintained more strictly the older your unit gets to avoid failure which brings us to our next topic.
What Happens if You Don’t Service Your Air Conditioner?
Maybe you haven’t had your AC serviced in a couple of years and don’t really notice a difference. It is still cooling your home down adequately but have you been keeping an eye on your energy bills? They will tell the true story. The fact is that your AC will probably still work to keep your home cool if you don’t get it serviced but it will have to work harder to do so. On average, your AC will lose one percent of its energy efficiency every year you don’t have it serviced. That doesn’t sound like a lot but if you run your AC a lot in the summer that can add up to a lot of money. Regular maintenance will also extend the life of your unit.
Why is AC Maintenance Important?
Aside from efficiency and function, you should have your AC serviced for the comfort of your home. When filters are clogged or other systems aren’t working optimally, it can lead to uneven cooling in your home. Some manufacturer warranties require that you have your unit looked at every year and not doing so may void your warranty.
What is Included in AC Maintenance?
Now that you know how important AC maintenance is you may be wondering what it entails. Check out the following list of common AC maintenance services:
- Thermostat Calibration – Making sure your thermostat is working properly and that it has not been installed near heat sources.
- Electrical Connections – Tightening and inspecting all electrical connections.
- Drain Cleaning – Maintenance will almost always include cleaning the condensate drain line to prevent clogging and leaks.
- Air Filter Service – Cleaning or replacing the air filter for maximum efficiency and safety.
What Does an AC Tuneup Include?
AC tune-ups are designed to not only maintain the function of your unit but keep it working like new. It typically includes cleaning and removing debris from the condenser coil, tuning the compressor, testing and topping off refrigerant levels, wiring inspection, making sure the amperage levels of your blower are right, lubrication of all moving parts and other services.
Air Conditioner Maintenance Checklist
If you are feeling proactive and want to know what you can do to maintain your AC yourself, here are some steps you can take:
Maintain your Trees
Debris from overhanging and overgrown trees can wreak havoc on your AC unit so keep them trimmed.
Get an AC Maintenance Kit
Hardware stores sell kits that include helpful items for cleaning your air filter and other necessary maintenance tasks.
Keep your Front Coil Clean
Spraying your front coil with a cleaning agent specifically designed for AC coils is a relatively simple way to help extend the life of your unit.
Work with Professionals
Above all, when choosing an AC service provider, you should always go with a licensed and certified professional. Working with HVAC companies who lack these credentials can void your manufacturer’s warranty and may be detrimental to the unit itself. That is why it is best to hire experienced professionals. We offer full air conditioner repair and maintenance in Mansfield and Arlington, TX here at C&S Air, Inc. and we are a fully licensed HVAC company. You can count on us for complete AC and HVAC maintenance service and much more. Call us today at (817) 398-8887!
