How Often Should I Be Doing AC Maintenance?

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AC maintenance is a hot topic, especially when it comes to keeping your home or business premises cool. The combination of South Florida’s heat and debris-blowing storms make regular Air conditioner maintenance essential, yet there are three main schools of thought regarding how often your air conditioner should be maintained.

Option #1 – Never

You might choose to leave your AC running at all times and only give it attention when it breaks down. Or maybe you find yourself in the ‘do a year, skip a year’ thinking in regards to maintenance. Air conditioners are such an integral part of life that they often run in the background and do their jobs without a second thought. Below are some pros and cons for this approach.

Pro’s For Not Having A Regular Maintenance Schedule For Your AC

This approach can save a little money in the short term. However, while not having an AC maintenance schedule might seem to be the most cost-effective way of looking after your air conditioner, it could end up being a very expensive route to go for a couple of reasons.

Cons For Not Having A Regular Maintenance Schedule For Your AC

1. Running Costs Will Be Higher

   Over time, your AC gathers dust and dirt on the coils and air filters. If this is left to accumulate, it will cause your AC to slowly breakdown which affects its efficiency. Not only that, an air conditioning unit that’s riddled with dirt will use more power and raise your utility bill.

2. Small Problems Become Big Problems

   Nipping problems in the bud before they get worse is always a good idea. When it comes to your AC unit, small issues that are left unrepaired can escalate into much bigger problems that could cause extensive damage and expensive repairs.

3. Shorten The Life Of Your AC Unit

   An AC’s average lifespan, depending on care and maintenance, is anywhere from 10 to 20 years. Air conditioning systems that aren’t maintained and cared for might not even make it to the 10-year mark.

Option #2 – Once A Year

A thorough maintenance check by an AC professional like those at Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric once a year is a good idea. They will check all the components, fix and replace anything that is worn or old, and make sure that your AC is running exactly as it should be. An annual full service plan will go a long way towards lengthening the lifespan of your AC and keeping it running efficiently. But is it enough? This question takes us to option number three.

Option #3 – Annual Service By An AC Technician, With Monthly Home Checks In-Between

While most things AC-related are best seen by qualified technicians, there are things that you can do to keep your AC in top condition.

• Keep an eye on the outdoor unit for damage. Remove all debris, sticks and leaves from around the unit.


• When you’re not home or away on vacation, you can raise the temperature of your AC by adjusting the thermostat. This will reduce how hard your AC has to work and lengthen its life.


• Check indoor air vents for any obstructions and remove them.


• Clean or replace air filters monthly or every 45 days. Air filters are there to catch dirt and improve your indoor air quality. Over time they gather a buildup of muck that will not only lower the efficiency of the AC but can also pump contaminants into your home. This will have a bad effect on the air quality and can affect your family’s health.

Your Added Bonuses For Looking After Your AC System

There are some other great benefits to looking after your AC System:

• Well cared for AC systems can last up to 15 years, saving you from the early expense of having to replace your AC.


• A fine-tuned AC will keep your home reliably cool when you need it to and not cause hot-and-bothered downtime due to repairs.


• Parts that are wearing down can be replaced by the technician before they break and cause more trouble.

Signs To Watch Out For In Between Services

Even the most well cared-for AC unit will need repairs at times. Here are some things that are clear signs that it’s time to call in the technicians from Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric.

• Water leaks in or around your AC unit
• Weird noises coming from you AC
• The thermostat says one thing but the sweat on your brow says another

Regular AC Maintenance Inspections: The Bottom Line

When you consider the savings on your utility bill due to improved efficiency and the major breakages that are avoided through catching problems early, regular AC inspections pay for themselves. Call Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric at 1-800-475-1504 to schedule yours today.