Spring Cleaning Your AC to Avoid Repairs

Avoid Air Conditioning Repair With Regular Cleaning

As a homeowner, you are constantly repairing various things around the house. Air conditioning repair can be one of the more costly items you’ll need to repair or replace if you’re not having professional maintenance done at least once a year.

Professional maintenance is important to ensure that your unit functions proficiently and effectively. Regular upkeep of your unit’s components (such as its filters and coils) will ensure that your unit runs smoothly. You will notice a constant decline in the performance of your unit while its energy consumption increases if you neglect the necessary maintenance.

Certain tasks can be a do-it-yourself project but it is much safer to call in a professional to service your unit. You should always replace or clean your unit’s filters. Dirty filters are inefficient and reduce the normal airflow of the unit, changing these regularly can lower the energy consumption of your air conditioner.

A trained technician will also ensure that your AC coils are clean and not insulated by dirt or debris. A clean filter will prevent this from happening rapidly but it will still happen over time. Your evaporator coil must be checked and cleaned every year. A technician will also check and replace the relay switch if your unit is constantly alternating between on/off. This could be due to the size of your unit or the room it’s in – but a defective switch can only be replaced by a professional. There are a few issues that regular maintenance will ensure you avoid. Even a small problem can lead to a bigger one if it is not properly taken care of.

When you hire a professional technician to ensure that your AC is properly maintained, he or she will not only see to the above issues but others as well. These should include:

• Checking to see that the proper amount of refrigerant is in your unit.
• Ensuring that there are no leaks in your refrigerant.
• Ensure that all of the refrigerant that must be removed from the system is collected, as this should not be released into the atmosphere. It is harmful to the environment as well as illegal to do so.
• Ensuring that there are no leaks in your central systems.
• Inspecting electrical terminals to ensure that connections are clean and tightened.
• Ensuring that the thermostat readings are accurate.

On average an air conditioner has a lifespan of approximately 10 to 15 years but with regular upkeep it could last longer. If you don’t take care of your unit, this lifespan could be a lot shorter. Waiting until the last minute to repair or service your unit could be a very costly mistake. By having a professional take a look at your AC, you can and will save money in the long run as this will prevent expensive breakdowns and repairs, prevent excessive energy costs, improve system efficiency, make the system safer, and it will extend the lifespan of your unit.

Regular professional maintenance can ensure that you avoid the need for costly AC repairs and it will ensure that you have a way to beat the heat in summer.