Tips On How To Keep Your AC Repair Bill Low

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The summer season in South Florida usually means higher AC usage – it’s also during these hot months that we suddenly have those unexpected AC breakdowns. Unnecessary AC repairs can set you back financially but luckily there are some helpful tips to help keep your AC repair bill at a minimum while maximizing your AC’s efficiency.

Adjust Your Thermostat

As indoor temperatures fluctuate throughout the day, so should your thermostat. Keeping your AC unit at a constant temperature may put your AC unit under unnecessary strain. You can program your thermostat to vary according to daily temperatures and seasonal shifts. On those really hot days, you can program your AC quite low, but on moderate days, an adjustment will ensure your AC is working efficiently.

Invest In A Smart Thermostat

Investing in a smart thermostat will take you to the next level. Smart thermostats learn your preferences and automatically adjust your home’s temperature to suit your preferences. They can adapt to seasonal preferences and come with smart home integration technology. With smartphone remote access control and usage reports, investing in a smart thermostat is the smart way to go.

Use Your Ceiling Fan

It’s estimated that a ceiling fan consumes around 1% of the energy that your AC system uses. This means having your ceiling fan on the whole day will still consume less energy than running your AC for 15 minutes. Although fans don’t cool the air, they circulate it throughout a room effectively. Moving air on your body and face helps create a cooling effect.

Close Your Curtain & Blinds

Direct sunlight can raise the temperature in your home significantly. Solar radiation travels through the glass and transfers heat to indoor surfaces. Your floor, bed, or couches can all conduct solar radiation and contribute to warming up your interior spaces. Why not consider closing your blinds or curtains during certain parts of the day? Black-out curtains are particularly effective in preventing direct sunlight from penetrating your home. You will notice a difference in temperature and save your AC from working overtime to keep your home cool.

Check Your Home Insulation

When last did you check your home’s insulation? Getting your home correctly insulated will keep the cool air in your home from escaping and the hot outside air from creeping in. Good-quality attic insulation can reduce your internal heat flow by up to 30%. Insulation prevents heat transfer, which helps your indoor spaces remain cooler. Proper insulation also helps improve your indoor air quality by preventing pollutants from entering your home. The great thing about insulation is it doesn’t have any running costs. Once it’s installed, your home is good to go.

Getting your insulation checked or upgraded could result in a significant saving on your AC repair bill. The less your AC runs, the less maintenance it needs. Remember when an AC unit is running at its maximum capacity, strain is placed on it, shortening its life. Insulation helps reduce the overall temperature, meaning that even if your AC is on, it won’t be working overtime to cool the space.

Invest In Regular Outdoor Cleaning

HVAC compressors are usually positioned outside. This means they’re susceptible to all the environmental elements, as well as pests. It’s good practice to ensure your outdoor HVAC component has a protective covering. This should always be done in conjunction with your HVAC professional to ensure you’re not blocking any vents or motor exhausts. Even if you have a protective cover, it’s wise to clean the surrounding area of debris and dirt every few months. You may also want to check in between your outdoor units to make sure there aren’t any pests that could have made their home around the warmth of your AC unit. Finally, ensure that there are no blockages in your unit’s outflow area.

Prioritize An Annual HVAC Service

Investing in an AC preventative maintenance plan is the best way to keep your repair costs to a minimum. At Art Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Electric we offer a 20-Point Precision Tune-Up where we will perform a complete 20-point precision tune-up of your air conditioning system that includes all items listed below and more.​​​​​​

• Chemical treatment of drain line
• Rinse drain pan (if accessible)
• Flush drain pan (if accessible)
• Inspect indoor coil
• Wash outdoor coil (flush with water)**
• Check refrigerant pressures
• Inspect safety devices for proper operations
• Measure system for proper split temperature
• Inspect supply plenum for duct leakage
• Test and inspect contactor for proper engagement
• Test and inspect capacitors
• Check compressor amp draw
• Check condenser fan amp draw
• Check blower motor amp draw
• Install anti-algae tablets
• Visual inspection of all electrical components
• Tighten all electrical connections
• Change batteries in thermostat (customer provided)
• Visual inspection of ductwork
• Check static pressure (blood pressure of A/C system)​​​​​​

By investing in a consistent service, you’ll help eliminate the risk of those unexpected breakdowns. Scheduled maintenance means you can budget accordingly and safeguard against unplanned expenses.

Choose The Right AC Repair Service

Choosing the right AC repair professional is crucial. Be sure to look online for a company that offers a wide range of HVAC repair and installation services. Check their licensing, and don’t be afraid to call them and ask questions. It’s good to make an informed decision. Looking at online reviews will provide valuable insight into whether you should use a particular company or not. Finally, remember that experience counts for a lot in AC repair. An established and trusted AC repair and servicing company will always be a sure bet. Finally, remember if your HVAC system is old and tired, you may need to consider a new more efficient system.