Keeping your air conditioning unit in good condition is a sensible idea. Like all appliances, air conditioning units require regular maintenance, and rather than waiting for something to go wrong on the hottest day of summer, it is a much better idea to keep your unit in good shape throughout the year.
The ideal time to get your unit checked is in the spring, before you’ve started using it regularly. Many homeowners don’t see any problems with their air conditioning units, and so don’t want to spend the extra money. But there are many benefits of regular servicing, in terms of saving both money and energy.
Overview of Annual Air Conditioning Tune-Ups
When you hire a professional to check over your AC unit, there are a number of things they will look for. For companies offering professional air conditioning services, the overall aim is to provide a preventative check that will help you to avoid issues turning into serious problems and to keep wear and tear to a minimum.
A professional will identify problem areas that need fixing or replacing to prevent the system from breaking down early. They may also carry out a number of tasks including lubricating the moving parts, cleaning the coils on the inside and outside, tightening up the electric connections, and more.
Why Hire a Professional Tune-Up?
There are certain things that you can do yourself when it comes to looking after your air conditioner, like changing the filters once every month or two. If you like a bit of DIY, you may be keen to do as much as you can yourself, but a full check is a specialist area.
The main benefit with professional maintenance is that you are less likely to experience problems when the weather heats up. You don’t want your AC unit breaking down on you in the summer, and by identifying problems early and fixing them, this is less likely to happen.
If it does break down, the repair cost may be significant, and could be larger than the cost of regular maintenance, so regular maintenance can save you money here.
You will also be able to enjoy the benefit of knowing that your system is as energy efficient as possible. For example, issues such as a lower refrigerant level can increase your bill by putting more stress on the compressor, and dirty coils can restrict the air that moves through the unit, affecting efficiency and comfort. Your unit will be working better throughout the year, meaning you will be spending as little as possible on your bills.
You may also want to hire a specialist to check your ductwork. Leaky ducts can increase energy usage significantly and add to your bills, so getting these checked can be a great idea.
Overall, you want to ensure you keep your AC system working better for longer. The better condition it is in, the longer it is likely to last, and then you won’t have to replace your system until it really is necessary.
Find a Trained Technician
Find an AC technician in your area by searching for one with experience and good references. Then ask them to come around and check over your AC system to make sure everything is in order. Once you get into the habit of checking your AC system regularly, you can enjoy a more efficient system, and you also have the peace of mind that it will not break down when you most need it, and that you are only spending as much on your energy bills as you need to.
Jeff Fables is a home energy auditor. He likes to help people save energy by posting his insights online. His articles are available mainly on home improvement and energy websites.
