Like any important home system, your air conditioner needs regular preventive maintenance in order to run efficiently and reliably. Most homeowners know that, but not everyone is clear on what that time frame should be and which tasks it should involve.
Why Perform Preventive Maintenance?
Your air conditioner cycles on and off many times a day. You probably assume that the process is fairly simple, but in reality, there are countless things that must work correctly for the system to operate so reliably using the least possible energy. The thermostat, coils, blower motor, compressor, and many other components should be in top condition in order to keep the cool air moving and your family comfortable. Without that good upkeep, you may experience breakdowns, poor indoor air quality, or high energy consumption.
Florida is different from much of the country because we use our air conditioners during a much larger portion of the year, so it is even more important to keep things properly serviced. Without good maintenance, the extra cycles your system makes in the Sunshine State will make the lack of care even more costly, saddling you with big energy bills and a better chance of an expensive and inconvenient breakdown.
Another important reason for having your AC maintained regularly is the clean air that it provides for your family. Every air conditioning system handles lots of dust, pet dander, dirt, and other material that can aggravate conditions like allergies and asthma. The only way to keep these irritants out of your home is to have the filters on your air conditioner cleaned and changed regularly.
What Should Be Done During Preventive Maintenance?
The team at Bradenton One Hour has years of experience in maintaining air conditioning systems just like yours. They perform a full array of important cleaning, testing, and inspection tasks, including:
- Thermostat inspection
- Checking electrical connections
- Lubricating moving components
- Inspecting the condensate drainage system
- Testing system controls
- Cleaning coils on the evaporator and condenser
- Checking the refrigerant level and filling if needed
- Calibrating blower components
- Replacing the air filter
They’ll also clean any buildup of dust or dirt throughout the system so that your air conditioner has the least possible strain on its moving parts.
So How Often Should Your System Be Serviced?
In cooler parts of the country, contractors recommend having an AC system serviced once a year. However, things are different in Florida thanks to our warmer climate. As a rule, two inspections a year will be enough to keep your system performing at maximum efficiency and minimize the chances that it will let you down on some hot summer day. This allows for the standard pre-summer inspection as well as a sort of halftime check to make sure that your system is ready to finish the season strong.
On your first maintenance visit, though, your technician may find specific concerns that could necessitate more frequent maintenance. You can discuss the situation and develop a plan that will keep your AC running well and operating with the best possible energy efficiency. Twice a year is a starting point, but with our expert advice, you’ll be able to decide if extra attention is necessary.
When to Have Maintenance Done
Most temperate climates have at least a small break in the warm weather each year, and Florida is no exception. We may need AC ten months out of the year, but we do still get some amount of a break each winter. That is the time to get your air conditioner inspected.
A late winter or early spring maintenance visit will let the technicians find any problems in time to make repairs before the sun starts blistering down on your home. The cleaning process will also get the system ready for its busy season at peak energy efficiency.
Get Your Custom Maintenance Plan Ready Today!
No matter what time of year it is, it’s a good time to think about developing a service plan for your air conditioner. The team at Bradenton One Hour is ready to help! With one call to us, you can get started on a custom maintenance program. Our experts will use their experience and training to put together a plan that works with your schedule and your budget. You’ll get a more reliable system that uses less energy, keeps your home cleaner, reduces threats to your family’s health, and helps avoid costly and inconvenient breakdowns.
Don’t let another hot summer day pass without getting your air conditioner properly serviced. Contact Bradenton One Hour at (941) 289-3469, or use our convenient online appointment tool 24/7 to book us for a visit!