Optimize Efficiency with Regular A/C Servicing

As temperatures rise, you likely rely on your air conditioning system to keep your home or office comfortable. However, without proper maintenance, an A/C unit can lose efficiency over time. Regular servicing by a professional is key to ensuring your system runs effectively through the hot summer months. Read on to learn why you should schedule annual tune-ups.

The Benefits of Routine Maintenance

Checking Refrigerant Levels

The technician will use gauges to measure the pressure on both the high and low sides of the A/C system. This checks that the refrigerant level is in the optimal range. If the refrigerant charge is low, it reduces the cooling capacity that can be delivered. It also causes the compressor to strain itself, trying to provide cooling. This wear and tear can cause early failure. Adding refrigerant brings the levels back to the proper specifications, ensuring the compressor can efficiently deliver cooled air without overworking itself.

Inspecting Ductwork

The technician will visually inspect all accessible supply and return ducts for any visible gaps, seams, or holes that could be causing leaks. Duct leaks allow cooled air to escape before reaching vents. This means some of the cooled air intended to dehumidify and cool your home gets wasted outside the duct system. It causes the A/C unit to run longer and work harder trying to cool your interior space. In addition, hot unconditioned air can enter the ducts from gaps, putting extra strain on the cooling system. Sealing ducts prevent leaks in both directions, allowing proper airflow to and from rooms.

Cleaning Coils and Changing Filters

Both the condenser coils are outside, and the technician will clean the lower coils inside. Fins on coils can accumulate debris, dirt, grease, and other contaminants that coat the coils and block air from flowing easily through them. Reduced airflow over the coils hinders heat transfer efficiency. Similarly, dirty filters block proper air circulation through the ducts. Proper cleaning restores open airflow so heat can efficiently transfer from the refrigerant to the coils and then from the coils through unobstructed ducts and filters throughout the house.

Checking Fan Motor Wattage

If fan motors are not properly matched to the size of the A/C system, they waste energy trying to push too much or too little air. A technician can determine if the existing motor is appropriately sized or if a replacement that uses less energy would better meet airflow demands. Correct fan motor wattage improves electrical efficiency.

Verifying Correct Air Flow

Using specialized tools, the HVAC technician can measure volumes of air coming from vents and returns in each room. The readings confirm that cooled air is getting distributed correctly through the home, so no room gets too much or too little flow. If needed, adjustments can be made at dampers or baffles to calibrate ideal air delivery. Proper airflow ensures efficient cooling.

The ROI of Service Appointments

While an inspection and maintenance appointment does cost money upfront, it saves substantially more over the lifetime of an AC unit. Units that get preventative service annually have been shown to use up to 30% less electricity than units that don’t get serviced. This adds up to major savings on monthly energy bills.

• For example, if your yearly electric costs associated with AC use are about $600 without servicing, you might spend $180 or more than necessary due to an inefficient, dirty system. With an annual tune-up for around $100, you could save at least $80 per year on electricity – paying back the tune-up cost in just over a year through efficiency gains. And more dramatic savings are possible in larger homes that use more electricity for cooling.
• Additionally, routine maintenance prevents minor issues from escalating into major repairs down the road. Catching and fixing small problems early reduces the risk of catastrophic failures that require expensive replacements. According to studies, participants with annual maintenance had one-half to one-third as many emergency repair bills as non-participants over ten years. One major system replacement can cost $5,000 or more. Avoiding just one emergency replacement through proactive care saves enormously on parts and labor over your AC’s lifetime.
• Finally, regularly serviced units keep running smoothly for significantly longer than neglected machines. Industry estimates show a properly maintained AC unit will last an average of 15-20 years. Without tune-ups, the expected lifespan is just 8-12 years in many cases. By investing a little yearly, you extend the working life of your system by 5 years or more before needing expensive system replacement. This translates to big long-term cost savings.
• In short, spending a little on prevention saves tremendously in the long run by lowering energy bills, lowering emergency repair costs, and avoiding early system replacements. Service contracts pay for themselves several times over through increased efficiency and longevity of an AC’s working life. The savings easily justify a small annual investment to protect performance and reliability.

Schedule in the Spring

Getting an annual A/C tune-up in the spring ensures you won’t get caught without functioning cooling just when you need it most – the height of summer. Mid to late spring, before temperatures rise into the peak cooling zone, is the perfect time for preventative maintenance.

• Timing maintenance in early spring allows technicians to thoroughly inspect for potential faults and make any needed repairs before daily heat sets in. Some parts, like refrigerant metering units, capacitors, compressors, or evaporator coils, often require shipment time or backorder. Identifying needs in the spring provides lead time to correct issues.
• Trying to schedule repair work in June through August risks long lag times without cooling in sweltering weather. Technicians also tend to get overwhelmed booking appointments during the busy season. You may endure a long, miserable wait without a working system. Planning a March-May lets you get service and repairs wrapped up before critical cooling demands set in.
• Early spring tune-ups also get your system tuned to operate at peak efficiency just as summer temps arrive. Diagnostics calibrate refrigerant levels, air flow, duct leakage, fan speeds, and other factors precisely for maximum performance. Like tuning up a sports car just before race time, spring AC servicing optimizes all the operational variables for the best cooling capacity all through the months you need it. Systems function significantly more efficiently when methodically calibrated through an annual spring clean and check regimen before heavy-duty weather sets in. Don’t wait until they falter in peak season. Be proactive with spring readiness!
• Scheduling annual maintenance before cooling demand hits avoids getting left in the heat. Late spring tune-ups let all repair work finish before the hottest weather comes. They also calibrate ACs for the best possible efficiency all summer long once temperatures rise.

Take Charge of Your Comfort

Don’t leave your indoor environment to chance. With an annual inspection and repairs if necessary, your A/C will keep you comfortable even during the dog days of summer. Stay “cool as a cucumber” by scheduling service before cooling demands increase. Protecting your system today optimizes its efficiency for years to come. For more information contact us.