Your air conditioner is like your car. If you do not have it regularly serviced, it will not perform as well, and you will have to replace it sooner than necessary. Most air conditioners have a useful lifetime of 15 to 20 years. However, a lack of maintenance can significantly shorten your cooling system’s lifespan. In addition, during your air conditioner’s lifetime, regular tune-ups will make your equipment more efficient, saving you money on cooling costs over the years.
Schedule AC Service at Least Once a Year
In an area like Bethany, Oklahoma having your air conditioning unit serviced by a professional once a year is usually sufficient since the summers are shorter than in many other parts of the country. Having this service performed is essential for several reasons.
Prevents Emergency Repairs
Regular tune-ups can prevent emergency repairs. During their visit, a technician will inspect your cooling system for minor issues that can potentially develop into a significant problems. For example, they will replace a worn fan belt before it has a chance to snap and cause the unit to break down during the dog days of summer. HVAC experts estimate that 80 percent of all the repairs they encounter could have been avoided with regular maintenance.
Increases Efficiency
A well-maintained cooling system will be more efficient. During a visit, a professional will clean the internal components to remove any dust and grime buildup that could clog up your system and reduce its efficiency. They will also check all the electrical connections to ensure your unit is not wasting power during operation. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that homeowners can save up to 30 percent on energy bills by having their HVAC systems serviced regularly.
Increases Your Units Lifetime
During a maintenance visit, a HVAC technician will perform tasks that increase your air conditioner’s useful lifetime. One of the most important is lubricating the moving parts in your cooling system. This reduces unnecessary friction that can wear out motors prematurely. Regular lubricating also prevents motors from overheating and damaging other internal parts. Finally, a technician will check the system controls. This ensures your system is starting, operating, and shutting off properly. If your unit is not cycling correctly, it can cause more wear and tear on the unit than is necessary.
Spring and Fall Are the Best Maintenance Times
It’s never a good idea to schedule your yearly AC checkup during the summer or winter. These seasons are the busiest times of the year for any local heating and cooling repair service. You may spend more and wait longer for an appointment because these services are in greater demand. As a side note, if you recently moved into your home, you may want to schedule your tune-up for the fall. This is because a HVAC professional can advise you on preparing your system for the harsh winter months.
Before and after the cooling season is also a good time to schedule a service appointment because you don’t want to swelter in the heat while you wait for repairs. This way, if a significant repair is needed, it can happen when you aren’t so dependent on your AC being on all day.
Change Air Filters Between Visits
Homeowners can do an important maintenance task between routine professional visits: change the air filter. Dirt and debris build up in your air conditioner’s filter can block airflow, increasing the workload on your system. This decreases your unit’s energy efficiency and causes unnecessary wear on your system. In addition, Clean filters allow the free flow of air through your cooling system, which improves indoor comfort. It is recommended that filters are swapped out once a month. However, you will see how dirty your filter gets in a given time period and can adjust how often you change them.
Contact the Pros
At TS Heat & Air, we are a family-owned business that has been serving the residents of Bethany, Oklahoma, for over 35 years. We install, maintain and repair heating and cooling systems. Our customers can also depend on us for indoor air quality and emergency services. We would also like to invite you to join our maintenance plan. Members receive a discount on repairs, do not pay overtime charges, and are guaranteed service within 24 hours.
If it has been a while since you had your air conditioner serviced, contact TS Heat & Air today so we can get started!
