Regular Maintenance And AC Efficiency
Every few thousand miles of driving, you have to bring your car into the mechanic to get your oil changed. If you didn’t, you’d eventually experience sludge buildup, lower driving performance, and total engine failure. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system functions the same way. As a carefully calibrated machine, it must be consistently maintained in order to perform at its best.
During the summertime, your home’s electrical bills can skyrocket as your family’s air conditioning (AC) use increases. As a homeowner, you can significantly improve your AC efficiency by performing routine maintenance. On top of the maintenance you perform on your own, you should also schedule two tune-ups per year to make sure your HVAC system is functioning at its best.
How Regular Maintenance Enhances Your AC Efficiency
When you see English ivy pulling at your shingles and ripping your siding off, you prune it back. Similarly, most homeowners take time to prune overhanging tree branches and repair cracked driveways. Simple maintenance tasks go a long way toward reducing your long-term repair costs as a homeowner. By investing in AC maintenance, you can enjoy a number of important benefits.
Better Performance
If your AC is dirty or has worn components, it will struggle to achieve its normal performance level. Through routine maintenance, you can boost your AC performance and enjoy a more comfortable home.
Lower Energy Costs
A typical air conditioner makes up 12% of a home’s energy consumption. When the air conditioner is poorly maintained, it ends up using more energy to achieve the same level of performance. If you want to lower your monthly power bills, routine maintenance is one of the most effective things you can do.
Fewer Repairs
Refrigerant leaks rarely happen in properly maintained units. For example, faulty rubber seals and fittings can cause a leak. During routine maintenance, normal wear is diagnosed and fixed. As a result, this type of seal damage doesn’t happen.
This concept extends to your other repair issues as well. When you maintain your AC, small issues don’t have a chance to spiral out of control.
Decreased Risk of Emergency Breakdowns
Emergency breakdowns and total HVAC failures seldom happen without some type of advance warning. Routine maintenance helps you spot and repair issues before they become a problem. Additionally, these maintenance visits are an opportunity for you to bring up unusual symptoms that could be an indication of a future issue.
What AC Maintenance Tasks Do You Need To Do?
To ensure the best AC efficiency, there are a few important maintenance tasks you need to perform on a regular basis.
- Plan Ahead for Filter Changes: AC filters need to be changed every 30 to 90 days. Through consistent filter changes, you can prevent your evaporator coils from becoming dirty. In turn, this can help you avoid the inconvenience of a frozen AC.
- Clear Around Your Outdoor Unit: There should be space for airflow around your outdoor AC unit. You should regularly mow and remove plants from around the unit.
- Clean Condenser Coils: You can use your hose to clean condenser coils. However, you must make sure to turn off the AC at the breaker beforehand for your safety. Additionally, be careful when working around delicate parts, such as the fins.
- Schedule Routine Tune-Ups: During routine maintenance, the HVAC technician will lubricate moving parts, inspect for signs of wear, and diagnose faulty components. They will also check your refrigerant levels and tighten any loose connections.
By staying on top of your maintenance activities, you can prevent the majority of repairs and malfunctions. If you are uncertain about how to care for your AC, one of our HVAC technicians can walk you through the best practices during your next scheduled maintenance appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over time, we’ve found that our clients tend to have a few similar questions about AC efficiency.
How Often Should I Schedule an AC Tune-Up?
You should get an AC tune-up each spring before you need to use your AC all of the time. Another tune-up should be scheduled for the fall so that your heater is prepared for the wintertime.
What Type of Maintenance Should I Perform on My Own?
There are many things you can do to personally ensure your AC operates efficiently. The most important thing is to change your AC filter according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Normally, this involves replacing or cleaning it every one to three months. You should also clean around your outdoor unit and remove plant debris.
How Do I Know When I Need AC Repairs?
AC repairs may be needed if you notice unusual smells, weird sounds, unjustifiably high electricity bills, poor performance, or a lack of airflow. HVAC systems rarely fail without some type of prior warning, so reach out to an HVAC expert as soon as you notice any of the warning signs that there may be a problem.
Boost Your AC Efficiency
At One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating, we know what it takes to make sure your AC is operating at its best. From emergency repairs to routine maintenance, our HVAC technicians will ensure your HVAC system is in peak condition. Thanks to our courteous, knowledgeable technicians, we’ve developed a reputation as Bradenton’s top HVAC provider. More importantly, we value your experience and convenience as a customer. That’s why we’re always on time, or you don’t pay a dime!
