Have You Maintained Your Air Conditioner?

There is no question in any homeowner's mind that owning a home requires a lot of effort and dedication. The condition of a home is dependent on the maintenance that a homeowner puts into it. Although many homeowners stay on top of basic tasks such as yard work or cleaning, the HVAC system needs to be maintained in order to do its job. When the weather starts warming up, it is time to schedule an A/C tune-up by a professional cooling expert.

Your air conditioner serves a primary function for your home. Anyone who has dealt with a malfunction understands this. Going without air conditioning when it is blazing hot outside can make for an uncomfortable situation. However, did you know that you can maintain your system and prevent a breakdown? In fact, there are many advantages that come out of professional AC maintenance. In this article, we will discuss the importance of scheduling an annual air conditioner tune-up.

Why Maintenance Is So Important

Prevent Breakdowns

One of the most important aspects of scheduling an air conditioner tune-up is to prevent a surprise breakdown. Although many AC systems will give indicators that there is a problem on the rise, sometimes this is not the case. A trained professional will be able to spot any issues before your air conditioner is incapable of functioning and the possibility of requiring an emergency cooling service. This saves on a hefty repair bill that usually comes with unexpected situations like this.


Reduced Energy Expenses

A tune-up allows your system to run a peak efficiency. This helps reduce your cooling costs which can account for about half of your energy bill. Who doesn’t like to save money on energy costs? During a tune-up, the HVAC contractor will clean and lube your machine so that it runs optimally and with the least amount of effort. This, in turn, translates into your air conditioner requiring less energy to operate which you will happily notice on your energy bills.

Increased Comfort

Just like the condition of your home is reflected by the maintenance that goes into it, your air conditioner’s effectiveness is reflected by the maintenance that is put into it. Your home will feel much more comfortable when it has been tuned up. Not only will your bills decrease but you will physically feel better for it.

Increase Your Air Conditioner’s Lifespan

Let’s face it. An air conditioner is not a cheap investment. New air conditioners cost thousands of dollars. The better the unit, the more expensive that it is. This is just for the unit alone. The installation process is another expense that makes a replacement that much more costly. Therefore, you want it to last as long as possible. This is certainly one of the biggest advantages of professionally maintaining your unit on a regular basis.

What Homeowners Can Do To Maintain Their Air Conditioner

Not only should all homeowners schedule an annual tune-up for their AC systems, but they need to conduct a few tasks on their own. The biggest and most neglected task is the replacement of dirty air filters. An air filter affects your air conditioner's performance and its efficiency. Be sure to check your filter on a monthly basis and change your filter when it is dirty. In the following article by Energy.Gov, they discuss the importance of changing out dirty HVAC filters:

The most important maintenance task that will ensure the efficiency of your air conditioner is to routinely replace or clean its filters. Clogged, dirty filters block normal airflow and reduce a system's efficiency significantly. With normal airflow obstructed, air that bypasses the filter may carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil and impair the coil's heat-absorbing capacity. Replacing a dirty, clogged filter with a clean one can lower your air conditioner's energy consumption by 5% to 15%.

Click here to read the rest of this article.

As this article states, this is one of the most important tasks that a homeowner is responsible for. It affects how well your air conditioner performs and it impacts your energy expenses. If you want to protect your investment, then this a great way to do so.

Other tasks that homeowners should conduct:

• Keep air vents unobstructed by objects such as furniture or curtains.
• Always keep your air vents open. This includes rooms that are infrequently used.
• Keep your air vents clean.
• Use household fans to help circulate the air in your home. This prevents your AC from having to work as hard. It also helps reduce energy costs. An air conditioner that has to work more than it should leads to repairs and breakdowns.

Conclusion

It is important to maintain your air conditioner. Proper maintenance leads to a more comfortable home and reduced energy costs. Furthermore, it prevents expensive and preventable repair costs. It also prolongs the lifespan of your air conditioner. Be sure to schedule an air conditioner tune-up annually.