Ideally, you should get your air conditioner tuned up at least twice a year, once in the fall and once in the summer. This seasonal maintenance will ensure your HVAC system is in good working order before the summertime heat kicks in and before the wintertime chill makes its presence known.
WHY GETTING PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE IS IMPORTANT
A springtime checkup can extend the life of your air conditioner by several years, increase its operating efficiency, and improve your comfort. Also, routine maintenance can help validate the current or extended warranty on your central air system.
Continue reading to see what can happen if you neglect to have your HVAC maintained.
COMPROMISED COMFORT
Over a few months, debris and dust begin to collect on the air conditioner coils. Evaporator coils inside your home collect dust. Outdoor condenser coils attract grass trimmings, leaves, and dirt. All this build-up limits airflow and heat transfer, which of course means an uncomfortable home.
If the air conditioner is not cared for, it will struggle to distribute even temperatures throughout your home. While one room of your home is uncomfortably hot, the rest of your house may feel like an ice cube.
HIGH ENERGY BILLS
According to some estimates, you lose 5 percent of your air conditioner’s operating efficiency every year you forget to perform routine maintenance tasks. The harder your air conditioning unit has to work in order to cool your home, the higher your energy bills are going to be. A variety of different issues can lead to higher energy bills, such as general wear and tear, clogged air filter, and cracked and dry belts. When moving parts do not have enough lubrication, the resulting friction can lead to a lower level of operating efficiency and eventually lead to a full-on breakdown.
When a technician comes to your home, they will make sure that the equipment is operating properly.
Here are the warning signs signaling that your AC system needs attention:
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It runs for long periods of time without cycling down
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It’s blowing warm air
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Your energy bills have spiked unexpectedly
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It’s short-cycling, which means it runs in short bursts
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It’s producing strange odors/smells
TOTAL BREAKDOWNS
This is one of the most important reasons to get routine maintenance done on your air conditioner. If you do not replace air filters and repair faulty parts, your air conditioner will eventually break. Unfortunately, air conditioners tend to break when you are using them the most during the summertime. This is an even bigger concern now with all of the extra time you’re spending at home in quarantine.
POOR INDOOR AIR QUALITY
Your air conditioner includes a part known as the condensate drain. Sometimes, this drain can become clogged. When this happens, it ruins your air conditioner’s ability to control humidity. In severe cases, it can even lead to water damage. If your air conditioner is not working properly, you can end up having excess humidity in the air you breathe. Then, this humidity can lead to mold and mildew in your home.
Additionally, you could run into air quality issues if you’re not changing out your air filters regularly. A clogged air filter means your air conditioner will no longer stop dust and debris from circulating throughout your home and into the air you breathe.
Thankfully, there is an easy way to prevent these problems from happening. By getting routine maintenance for your air conditioner, you can improve your indoor air quality, the comfort of your home, and extend the lifespan of the unit all while lowering your monthly energy bills.
To learn more about how the experts at Hi-Tech Plumbing, Air & Electrical, Inc. can help, contact us today either through our website or by giving us a call at (561) 220-3107!