Schedule Preventative AIRCON Servicing Today

Introduction

Now is the best time to plan maintenance for your air conditioning system before summer comes. To keep your AC working well and prevent expensive fixes later, regular care is really important. In this blog post, we will talk about why it’s good to get regular help for your AC and give advice on when the best time is.

The Importance of Preventative Maintenance

It’s very important to do regular checks on your air conditioning system. This will help make it last longer and work better. When a service person visits to check your air conditioning, they will carefully look at all parts of the system. Here are some of the key maintenance tasks they will perform:

• Check the amount of refrigerant – If there’s not enough, it can reduce cooling and harm the compressor. The tech person will look for any leaks and add refrigerant if necessary.
• Look at the condenser and evaporator coils – Dirty parts stop good air from moving in, which makes the machine work less well. The technician will remove dirt and leftovers from the waves.
• Check amp draw on condenser – A high amp draw may indicate issues like failing capacitors. The technician can diagnose problems before they lead to system failure.
• Clean and flush condensate drain lines – Clogged drains can cause water to overflow from the AC, leading to expensive water damage if undetected.
• Inspect base pan for rust and leaks – A rusted base pan allows condensate water to drain into the ductwork rather than outside. Leaks here should be repaired immediately.
• Lubricate motor bearings – Proper lubrication reduces friction and ensures long-lasting operation of motors.
• Check thermostat, wiring, and controls – Faulty controls impact comfort and efficiency. The technician will test all functions.
• Monitor air filter status – A dirty filter forces the system to work harder. The technician can advise on the ideal filter replacement frequency.

This extensive preventative maintenance helps identify minor issues before they become major. It also improves efficiency, keeping your home cool without sending energy bills soaring. Investing in regular maintenance is one of the best ways to extend the life of your AC system.

Save Money in the Long Run

While the upfront cost of preventative maintenance may give some homeowners pause, it pays for itself many times over by avoiding expensive emergency repairs down the road. Preventative maintenance catches issues while they are still minor repairs. Without care, small problems can escalate into system failures that require very costly solutions.

• For example, a simple refrigerant leak may be a quick $100 fix. But if that leak isn’t detected early, the loss of refrigerant can cause the compressor to fail. Compressor replacement can cost $2000 or more!
• A clogged drain line may require cleaning if caught soon enough. However, a severely blocked line can lead to an overflowing drain pan, causing water damage to walls, flooring, and furnishings that could cost thousands to remedy.
• Capacitors will inevitably fail over time. Replacing a bad capacitor is only around $150-$200. Allowing a failed capacitor to go too long can put extreme stress on the compressor or fan motor, leading to a multi-thousand-dollar repair.
• By investing $100-$200 yearly on preventative maintenance, you avoid paying ten times as much for emergency repairs when parts fail. While paying for care may be a short-term inconvenience, it prevents huge headaches and costly repairs down the road. The long-term savings more than justifies the small upfront investment.

Improve Energy Efficiency

When dirt, dust, and debris accumulate on key components in your AC system, it cannot operate at optimal efficiency. Your cooling and energy bills suffer as a result. Preventative maintenance restores peak efficiency in two key ways:

• First, by changing air filters regularly. As filters become clogged with particulate, airflow through your system is restricted. The system has to work harder to push enough air past the filter to maintain comfort levels. Your energy usage goes up. New filters reduce resistance and make it easier for air to flow.
• Second, by cleaning the evaporator coils. Over time, evaporator coils accumulate dust buildup and residue. This degrades the heat-transfer capabilities of the waves. Your AC system has to run longer and more often to maintain desired temperatures, using more electricity. Professional cleaning removes all debris from the coils so they can operate at maximum efficiency.
• A comprehensive maintenance visit cleans all components involved with airflow and heat transfer. This allows your entire system to run at the peak efficiency designed by the manufacturer once again. The improvements are measurable – you’ll notice your AC runtimes are shorter and energy bills are lower after a quality maintenance service. Investing in regular upkeep saves you money each month in reduced electrical costs.

Keep Repairs Minor

During maintenance visits, technicians are looking for small issues that could lead to system failure if left unaddressed. Catching problems while they are minor repairs means you’ll only pay a fraction of what a major repair would cost. It also prevents system failure at the worst possible time.

How to Schedule Preventative Maintenance

Scheduling annual or bi-annual maintenance is simple. Here are some tips for booking a maintenance appointment:

• Check your owner’s manual for the recommended maintenance frequency from the manufacturer. For most systems, twice per year is ideal.
• Schedule appointments in the spring and fall. This spaces them out while still catching issues before peak cooling and heating seasons.
• Contact local HVAC companies to inquire about maintenance services and pricing. Licensed technicians should perform the maintenance.
• Ask about maintenance agreements that provide periodic services at a discounted rate throughout the year.
• Book appointments early before technicians get busy with seasonal repairs and installations. April or May and September or October are good target months.

Take a Proactive Approach

Being proactive about AC maintenance saves money, improves efficiency, and prevents unpleasant surprises just when you need cooling relief most. Don’t wait until problems arise – schedule preventative maintenance for your biggest energy user today. Your wallet and comfort will thank you!