How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs
Air conditioning is a must for countless homes during the sweltering summer months in the U.S.. However, the expenses associated with running an AC are substantial. Find out how scheduled air conditioning service can decrease AC repair costs, and embrace energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll enjoy a comfortable home this summer without draining your bank account.
What Routine AC Service Involves
Air conditioning maintenance is a reasonably priced, predictable yearly charge that pays you back by lowering repair costs and extending your unit’s life span. Here are some vital maintenance steps that help avoid air conditioner breakdowns:
- Replace the air filter: A dirty filter restricts airflow and causes your air conditioner to work harder, utilizing more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Changing your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your annual maintenance visit, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, boosts excellent airflow and efficiency.
- Clean the condenser coil: The outside condenser coil releases heat absorbed by the refrigerant. If it’s blocked by cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is impaired. Cleaning the condenser coil increases the unit’s function significantly, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could cause breakdowns.
- Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, reducing airflow and reducing performance. Correcting the fins with a fin comb puts them to their original position to restore ideal airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving parts produces heat and causes unnecessary wear and tear. Regular lubrication diminishes friction, ensuring smooth operation and cutting down on the need for repairs.
- Check refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another reason why your AC can freeze up, resulting in longer run times, comfort problems and preventable AC repairs. An HVAC professional uses specialized tools to investigate and change refrigerant levels as needed to ensure proper performance and prevent a mid-season breakdown.
Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs
Once-a-year maintenance is a key factor in lessening AC repair charges, but here are some other techniques to help your air conditioning unit operate dependably all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Raising the temperature on the thermostat setting reduces the wear and tear on your air conditioner. Pick a comfortable temperature and avoid changing it to a lower temperature.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps control your home’s temperature more effectively, reducing the stress on your AC unit. An effective technique is to program setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to conserve on energy costs and further diminish wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks near windows and doors permit warm, humid air into your home. Apply caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overloading your air conditioner.
- Install more insulation: A proper attic insulation level helps create reliable indoor temperatures and lessens your AC’s workload. If you can see the attic floor or joists poking through the existing insulation, add more.
- Prevent solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the workload of your air conditioner. Putting in window coverings and closing the blinds or shades during the hottest times of the day blocks solar heat gain and lowers the chance of a mid-season breakdown.
- Run ceiling fans: The wind chill effect produced by ceiling fans makes your room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which allows you to raise the thermostat setting without surrendering comfort. Don’t forget to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
- Use a dehumidifier: For those who live in a humid part of North America, increased humidity levels might make your home feel cool but clammy, causing you to lower the temperature on your thermostat. A whole-house dehumidifier removes excessive moisture, giving your air conditioner a much-needed break.
- Make sure your vents are not obstructed: Closed or blocked air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which can cause your air conditioning to break down. To avoid this, always keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs accidentally obstruct airflow. Boost circulation further by making sure doors between rooms are open as much as possible.
- Invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, start thinking about upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. In addition to increased efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or experience maintenance issues than an older unit, bringing down your repair expenses in the long run.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in the U.S.
By investing in routine air conditioning maintenance and adopting other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with decreased repair costs this summer. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers top-notch AC tune-ups to optimize efficiency and extend your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is starting to have problems.