Many people think that their air conditioning units are functioning well because they look and sound like they always do, plus they still perform the job of keeping the indoor temperature cool. Just because the unit seems fine and functioning well doesn’t mean it actually is. Air conditioning units need constant care and maintenance because they can get dirty very fast. For something that blows out the cool air you and your family breathe, you have to make sure that it is indeed working optimally.

Professional Air Conditioning Maintenance

If you want to make sure your AC unit last for as long as possible, you should consider hiring a professional air conditioning service company at least once a year. Ideally, this would be in springtime when you’re just about ready to use the units again because the outside temperature is warming. For hotter tropical climates, you may consider getting air conditioning maintenance at least twice a year because you use your units more often.

All you have to do is call an HVAC contractor to schedule your AC tune-up. Do not hesitate to spend money on this service, even if you think your unit is fine, because this regular check-up may save you a lot of money over the course of time. Paying for regular AC maintenance is so much cheaper than having to pay for severe repairs that require the replacement of expensive parts. The worst-case scenario is a total replacement of an air conditioning unit when you least expect it, which throws off your budget.

What the Pros Do

When you hire a professional team to do an air conditioning repair or tune-up, a highly trained technician will come to address and fix your AC problems. They will also perform specific procedures to ensure that all the parts are in working order. After all, prevention is better than cure because it costs less and is more convenient.

A professional technician will check if your unit has the correct amount of refrigerant. This is the element responsible for keeping things cool. Sometimes, it is referred to as the coolant. The technicians will also check for refrigerant leaks and capture any refrigerant that must be eradicated from your AC system.

They will also check many other parts like the seal duct in the central system. They will take a measurement of the level of airflow that is coming from it. Looking at the electric control sequence is also a crucial component, especially if you have an integrated HVAC system. They want to ensure that the heating and cooling system will not work simultaneously.

What You Can Do Yourself

There are some things that you can routinely do at least once a month to ensure that your air conditioning unit is functioning properly. These are pretty easy and simple tasks that do not need training. Allocating a small amount of your time once a month is easy to do. 

Check your air filter: The most important task that will guarantee the efficiency of your home air conditioner is the frequent replacement and cleaning of the filters. Clogged and dirty filters block the normal airflow coming from the unit. This reduces a system’s efficiency tremendously. When the normal flow of air has an obstruction, the air that passes through the filter can carry dirt directly into the evaporator coil. As a result, this impairs the coil’s ability to absorb heat. Replacing a dirty, clogged disposable filter or clean the reusable ones regularly because it can reduce your consumption of energy by 5% to 15%.

Take note that central AC filters are usually located by the return duct, somewhere along the walls, ceiling, or in the air conditioner itself. Room ACs have filer mounted in the grill that faces the side of the room. Moreover, if you use your air conditioner more frequently, if you are near high traffic and dusty conditions, or if you have pets in the house, you may need to pay more attention to your AC maintenance.

Check the room seals: Routinely check the seals between the air conditioner and window frame. Sometimes, the seals can loosen with time. Moisture can also damage the seals, allowing cool air to escape easily which is a total waste of energy consumption. Keep an eye out for possible damage, so you can immediately call for help before things worsen. 

Clean the outdoor condenser: Clean your outdoor condenser coils as they can become very dirty and dusty. Make sure that there is no growing foliage near your air compressor to ensure there is always adequate airflow. Work on minimizing the dirt near the condenser unit by taking away falling leaves, keeping your lawn mower away, and ensuring all sources of potential dirt and debris are minimized.

Check the drain channels: You can easily pass a stiff wire through the air conditioner’s drain channels to prevent it from clogging. A clogged drain keeps the unit from reducing humidity. On top of that, it results in excess moisture which may discolor your walls and carpets.

Why Air Conditioning Maintenance Is Necessary

There are many benefits that come to maintaining your unit. The AC functionality will be improved because the unit is able to operate at maximum efficiency when it is clean. This can drastically reduce your energy bills. On top of that, it improves the unit’s dependability because you know that it has just been serviced and inspected. The last thing you want to do is to worry if it will stop working, especially during the peak of summer.

Routine HVAC maintenance makes your unit last longer. If any problems are found during service, they can fix it quickly so there will be no more issues to worry about. Sealing a small leak is so much cheaper than having to replace the entire tube system when the problem has escalated. Nip small issues in the bud before they become bigger and more expensive problems.