What Maintenance Does Your AC Need?
Taking Care of Your Cooling System
Did you know that the average air conditioning system can last for approximately 15 years? It’s true! With proper care and maintenance, your AC should last well over a decade. Additionally, a well-maintained system costs less to run, saving you money on your energy bills. But what does the correct care and maintenance look like? Even if you know that you need your system inspected by professionals and your air filters changed, you may not know how often or why.
If you’ve ever wondered how to get the most out of your air conditioning system, we are here to help! Below we review a few important ways to keep your air conditioning in good condition and enjoy cool, conditioned air all summer long.
Schedule an AC Tune-Up Annually
It is recommended that you have your AC serviced by a professional every year. The best time to do this is in the spring. Because your cooling system has been sitting unused all winter long before you start using it in the summer, it needs to be cleaned and any problems taken care of. The last thing you want to deal with is a breakdown in the middle of a heatwave.
The first hot spell of the season is always the business for AC repair technicians. If you find yourself with a working cooling system at this time, you may wait for a week or more before a technician can get to you. However, if you schedule AC maintenance in April or early May, you can schedule an appointment when it is convenient to your schedule, and you can get your system ready to go before the temperature rises.
Our technician will follow our 21-point precision tune-up protocol during your AC maintenance visit. This includes a thorough inspection of your outdoor and indoor unit, testing the system for safe operation, checking refrigerant levels, looking for potential leaks, and more.
Replace Your Air Filters Quarterly
The recommended frequency for changing your air filters is every three months. If you wait any longer, you risk your air conditioning losing efficiency, and your home’s air quality will suffer. If you have allergies, asthma, or own pets, you may need to change your air filters every one to two months to keep your air quality as good as possible. Furthermore, you may discover that at certain times of the year, you need to change your filter more often.
A clogged air filter doesn’t allow conditioned air to move as freely through your home. Furthermore, it ceases to filter out particulates, leading to more dust, pollen, and other contaminants in your air. To determine if you need to change your air filter, you will need to look at the filter and see how dirty it is. If it is excessively dirty, replace it. Visual checks of your air filter should be performed monthly.
Do you have trouble remembering to check your air filter? Set a calendar reminder every month on the same day at the same time. Additionally, when you buy a new filter, buy more than one so that you always have one handy should you unexpectedly need to change it out.
Make Timely Repairs
When your cooling system stops working, you notice it immediately. When this happens in the summertime, you know you have to make repairs quickly, or your home will become unlivable. However, if your AC hasn’t broken down and is only struggling or just running less efficiently, you may be tempted to put off the repairs until you feel you really need them. After all, your AC is still pushing out cold air, so everything is fine, right?
Wrong. Avoiding making an AC repair rarely saves you money and instead usually ends up costing you a lot more. The longer you put off AC repairs, the more likely you will suffer a total system breakdown. You may even be in a position where the repairs are so expensive that you have to replace the entire system prematurely. When you’re forced to make a precipitous replacement, you may not have the time or money to choose the new system you really want, leaving you dissatisfied with your purchase and frustrated every time you have to use your system.
At A-TEMp Heating, Cooling & Electrical, our air conditioning repair technicians can help you keep your cooling system running smoothly. We can also help you proactively plan for a replacement so that you aren’t surprised by one. Call us today for more tips and guidance on maintaining your AC.