When you’re trying to make your dollar stretch this summer, spending more money on preventive maintenance for your cooling system probably isn’t your first choice. You might even wonder if it’s worth it at all. But you might be surprised about some of the ways that maintenance can save you money and make the experience of living in your home more pleasant.
Top Tips for Preventive Air Conditioner Maintenance
There are a number of preventive maintenance steps that can help ensure that your air conditioning system is ready for the summer. First of all, you need to make sure that the air conditioner filters are clean and changed. Filters reduce the amount of dirt, pollen, and other materials from outside that reach the air conditioning system and eventually find their way indoors. The manufacturer of the air conditioner has guidelines on how often these filters should be replaced, and a professional can do it during a maintenance visit. The longer you wait to replace dirty filters, the more likely it is that you’ll have problems with the air conditioner and indoor air quality.
Having the condensate lines cleaned is equally important. These lines pull the moisture from the air conditioner and direct it outside. The air conditioner is always pulling water from the air so that your home is less humid. Unfortunately, dirt and debris can clog the condensate lines, so you need to ask an HVAC technician to clean those out about every one to two years.
The evaporator coil is another key area that often gets dirty. The filters will greatly reduce the amount of dirt and debris that reaches the evaporator coils, but over time, even the filters can’t keep all dirt away from the evaporator coils. That’s why you should have them cleaned about once a year. Additionally, if you have condenser coils on the outdoor unit, they can become clogged with dirt and debris from the outside, so you should clean those regularly, too.
You might think the coil fins on the outdoor unit are just to protect the parts inside, but those fins can get bent easily. And as a consequence, the air conditioner can struggle to pull in air from the outside. Part of preventive maintenance involves straightening the fins as well as possible. Additionally, some basic maintenance, such as covering the outdoor unit in the winter, can prevent damage to the fins.
It’s also important to have a pro lubricate the blower fan motor and other moving parts so that they can move as freely as possible. Inspecting the electrical wiring and controls for anything loose is also a priority because loose wiring can cause your air conditioner to malfunction at an inconvenient time. It’s important to check the thermostat for proper operation. The registers and ductwork should be professionally cleaned every three to five years to prevent a buildup of dust, pollen, and other materials that can affect the quality of your air and decrease the efficiency of your cooling system.
Maintenance Means Fewer Repairs
The older your system is, the more likely that you’re going to need repairs, which can get expensive. But if you want to decrease the number of repairs that you need as well as their cost, you’ll appreciate the benefits of getting a tune-up for your air conditioner. Dust accumulates in your ductwork and air conditioner over time, which makes your system work harder. This puts more strain on the air conditioner, which can cause it to break down more often. Additionally, when you have your air conditioner serviced, we can clean and oil the parts, clear away debris around the exterior of the unit, and check for anything that could be going wrong before it becomes a bigger problem.
Maintenance Can Extend an Air Conditioner’s Lifespan
You’ll appreciate that your air conditioner will last longer when you get regular preventive maintenance, including cleaning the unit, which will make it easier for it to run. And when you find issues early, it’s less likely that you’ll have a problem that will be expensive to fix.
You’ll Enjoy Better Air Quality
When you’re trying to enjoy your home, the quality of the air is important, especially if you or a household member suffers from allergies. But even if no one who lives with you is allergic to dust or pollen, you’ll like that better air quality also means that you’ll spend less time dusting and have a cleaner floor. Preventative maintenance can also help deter the buildup of bacteria, mold and other materials in your air conditioner that can make your home smell bad.
Peace of Mind in Knowing That Your Air Conditioner Will Work
Have you ever had your air conditioning go out at the very worst time possible, such as during a party on one of the hottest days of the summer? If so, you’ll appreciate the fact that preventive maintenance can go a long way toward keeping your AC running properly all summer long. Maintenance service at the beginning of the season gives us the opportunity to find potential problems early, and we can do some work to lessen the likelihood that anything will go wrong with your air conditioner when you need it the most.
Have a Safer Home
When you get your air conditioner serviced with us, you’ll get to enjoy the knowledge that your air conditioner is running safely. You’ll know that you have less chance of having to deal with a short-circuited wire due to lack of maintenance.
Enjoy Lower Energy Costs
When you’re trying to save money on energy costs, one of the easiest ways to ensure that you’re getting the best efficiency possible is to schedule preventive maintenance services. For instance, you’ll be able to cut the amount of energy usage that your air conditioner sucks up when you ensure that your system is free of dust and debris. The dust in your air conditioner and ductwork makes your air conditioner work harder. This can cause a lot of extra energy usage. Additionally, if you have weeds growing around the outside of your air conditioner, it’s harder for the outside unit to suck in fresh air. And if you’re concerned about saving energy, you also want all of the parts inside to be well-lubricated. We do these services and much more when we go out to your home for preventative maintenance. And you’ll see a lot of the rewards with this system.
When you’re looking for a company in Tampa, FL that can provide top-notch electrical, plumbing, and air conditioning services, contact our team at [company name]. We offer a SafeGuard Savings Plan to keep your maintenance costs to a minimum, and we can provide same-day and emergency service when you need it. Our technicians are highly skilled, so book an appointment today for your next maintenance, repair, or installation service.