Your air conditioner works very hard to keep your home cool, especially during the scorching summer months. However, it needs periodic servicing to ensure that it stays functional and runs for many years.
Failure to service your air conditioner leads to less efficiency, energy bills, and expensive repairs. So, how often should you service your air conditioner? This is a guide on how to keep your AC unit well-maintained.
What’s the Recommended Maintenance Schedule
Most experts agree that you should have your air conditioner serviced regularly, at least once a year, preferably in the spring before the cooling season begins. Annual maintenance will see to it that your AC is cleaned, free of minor issues, and ready to perform when you need it most.
However, if you’re from an area with really hot, long summers or in areas where the central AC system runs almost year-round, you would then opt for servicing during every spring and fall to ensure the peak working condition of that device.
Why Regular Maintenance Matters
Here’s why your AC needs proper maintenance.
1. Improved Efficiency
A well-maintained air conditioner will work more efficiently, meaning it will not have to exert as much effort to cool your home. Clean filters, well-lubricated parts, and proper refrigerant level all lead to a system that consumes less energy and provides constant cooling.
2. Lower Energy Bills
In cases where your air conditioner operates properly, it will have less power usage, so you will use much less electricity. When you have a slight drop in the efficiency of your air conditioner, it consumes a lot of energy to cool down your house. Little by little, it is just enough to add up to the differences. Maintenance keeps off these inefficiencies that come with your air conditioner.
3. Prolonged Lifespan
Just like any mechanical system, proper maintenance should always be performed so that an air conditioner can run as long as it can. Every annual maintenance check-up that you will do for your AC would give it a 10-15 year lifespan on average. And this would keep you away from burdensome premature replacement troubles and costs.
4. Prevention of Costly Repairs
A technician may be able to identify small problems during a service visit and correct them before they become major, expensive issues. For instance, a small refrigerant leak or a worn part is easier and less costly to correct at this stage rather than when it causes a full system breakdown.
5. Better Air Quality
A dirty air conditioner spreads dust, allergens, and even mold throughout your home. In a routine check, the technicians clean the coils, filters, and other parts of the system that could collect dirt and bacteria. This makes the air inside your house cleaner for anyone with allergies or respiratory diseases.
What Does an AC Service Include?
A standard air conditioner service typically includes the following steps:
- Cleaning or replacing filters: Clogged filters restrict airflow and reduce efficiency.
- Checking refrigerant levels: Proper refrigerant levels are crucial for efficient cooling.
- Inspecting and cleaning coils: Dirty coils can reduce cooling power and lead to overheating.
- Examining electrical components: Loose connections or worn parts can cause electrical problems.
- Lubricating moving parts: This reduces wear and tear and helps your AC run smoothly.
- Testing thermostat function: Ensuring the thermostat is calibrated correctly keeps your home at the desired temperature.
The Bottom Line
Regular maintenance is crucial because that is where you have been saving on the energy consumed through your system. Most people suggest that your air conditioner be serviced yearly, or even two to three times a year, if it is heavily used.
When you set aside small amounts of your time and money for regular servicing of your air conditioner, you can enjoy a much more pleasant residence, better air, and rarely unexpected breaks. It certainly will help your air conditioners in the long run.
