How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs

Air conditioning is a must for many homes during the sweaty summer months in the U.S.. However, the expenses associated with running an AC are substantial. Find how routine 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 emptying your wallet.

What Routine AC Service Entails

Air conditioning maintenance is an affordable, predictable yearly bill that pays you back by reducing repair costs and lengthening your unit’s life span. Here are some significant maintenance steps that help protect against air conditioner breakdowns:

• • Swap out the air filter: A dirty filter obstructs airflow and causes your air conditioner to work harder, utilizing more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Exchanging your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your yearly maintenance visit, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, promotes ideal airflow and efficiency.

• • Clean the evaporator coil: The indoor evaporator coil accumulates dirt and dust with time, decreasing its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant in the coil to freeze, keeping your air conditioner from operating properly. Cleaning the coil takes out this insulating layer and will make it easier for the refrigerant to operate effectively.

• • Clean the condenser coil: The outdoor condenser coil emits heat absorbed by the refrigerant. If it’s covered with cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is weakened. Cleaning the condenser coil boosts the unit’s efficiency significantly, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could lead to breakdowns.

• • Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, restricting airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner’s performance.  Fixing the fins with a fin comb returns them to their original position to reestablish correct airflow.

• • Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving elements generates heat and causes undue wear and tear.  Regular lubrication diminishes friction, ensuring smooth operation and decreasing the need for repairs.

• • Examine refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another answer for why your AC can freeze up, causing longer run times, comfort problems and preventable AC repairs. A technician uses specialized tools to investigate and modify refrigerant levels as needed to assure proper function and prevent a mid-season breakdown.

Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs

Yearly maintenance is a crucial factor in lessening AC repair charges, but here are some other recommendations to help your air conditioner operate faithfully all summer long:

• • Turn the temperature up: Raising the temperature on the thermostat setting curbs the wear and tear on your AC.  Choose a comfortable temperature and avoid setting the thermostat any lower.

• • Buy a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps regulate your home’s temperature more efficiently, reducing the pressure on your AC unit. An effective technique is to schedule setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save yourself on energy costs and further diminish wear and tear.

• • Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks near windows and doors let warm, humid air inside. Use caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overworking your air conditioner.

• • Install more insulation: A correct attic insulation level helps create consistent indoor temperatures and reduces your AC’s workload. If you can see the attic floor or joists poking through the existing insulation, add more.

• • Stop solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the demand on your AC system. Getting window coverings and closing the blinds or shades during the hot afternoon blocks solar heat gain and lowers the danger of a mid-season breakdown.

• • Use ceiling fans: The wind chill effect created by ceiling fans makes a room feel about 4 degrees cooler, allowing you to raise the thermostat setting without sacrificing comfort. It’s a good idea to shut the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.

• • Use a dehumidifier: For those who reside in a humid part of the United States, high humidity levels can easily make your home feel cool but clammy, motivating you to turn down the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier removes excessive moisture, giving your air conditioning a much-needed break.

• • Clear out your vents: Closed or sealed off air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which can cause your HVAC system to break down. To avoid this, leave at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs accidentally hinder airflow. Boost circulation further by opening the doors between the rooms in your home as much as possible.

• • Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, think about upgrading to a more energy-efficient design. In addition to enhanced efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or encounter maintenance issues than an older unit, reducing your repair bills in the long run.

Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in the U.S.

By investing in scheduled air conditioning maintenance and implementing 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 maximize efficiency and lengthen your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is past its prime.