5 Reasons You Should Schedule AC Maintenance
Your air conditioner is a little bit like your car keys - you don’t think too much about it in normal life, but man do you miss it when it’s gone! Heading into the blistering summer in Utah is no joke, and you need to make sure your AC maintenance is in good shape and ready to get you through the season.
A big part of this is having regular AC maintenance performed. It’s so important to have it done at least once a year, and that’s because it’s the build up of dirt and debris that can cause major problems in the life of the AC unit. When the AC maintenance is regularly performed, minor issues don’t have a chance to develop into expensive problems!
5 Reasons You Should Schedule AC Maintenance
Stop Your AC Unit Breaking Down in the Summer
Cut Down on Your Energy Bills
Prevent a Dangerous Refrigerant Leak or Carbon Monoxide Issue
Stop Mold Growth in Your Home
Extend Your AC Unit’s Life
Let’s dive into what these reasons actually mean and how an AC maintenance check up can actually help!
Stop Your AC Unit Breaking Down in the Summer
Prevailing wisdom says that you should schedule AC maintenance in the spring, and this is great advice. Mainly this is because if your HVAC system has any issues that are causing system problems, or if it requires any kind fo significant work, you really want to get it done before the summertime.
The other reason that it’s a good idea to get your AC maintenance taken care of in the spring is that after a summer of working hard and then a fall and winter of debris blowing around outside, there are so many different elements that need to be checked. Plus, you get the absolute peace of mind of knowing that no matter how hot it gets, your AC unit is going to be just fine.
2. Cut Down on Your Energy Bills
When dirt bulbs up on your AC filter and films over your evaporator coils - when your fan gets slowed down or your drain pan overflows - any and all of these things can affect the efficiency of your air conditioning. Ultimately, this means that the AC unit uses more energy to maintain the same temperature than it used to do.
This costs you money. AC maintenance cleans out your system and checks out all the things that are costing you - so that your system keeps working efficiently and doesn’t hike up your energy bills.
3. Prevent a Dangerous Refrigerant Leak or Carbon Monoxide Issue
Refrigerant is the liquid that cools down the air in your AC unit - it’s absolutely crucial to your AC running the way that it should. The only issue is that it is a very toxic substance, and if there’s a leak it could end up being dangerous not only for your equipment but also for your health.
The same is certainly true of carbon monoxide, which is being siphoned out of your furnace in safe way but can end up leaking into your home and vents. It’s virtually undetectable to the human senses, so it’s extra important for you to have it assessed by an AC maintenance professional. They are equipped to fix coolant and carbon monoxide leaks, as well as to replace the coolant and figure out the damage.
4. Stop Mold Growth in Your Home
The truth is that the buildup of condensation in your HVAC system can lead to mold, which is potentially extremely damaging to your home. The drainage pan can fill up, still water can collect in the vents, and a dirty filter can collect droplets and start growing mold. Any of these are unpleasant things that can end up giving your air conditioner a musty, gross smell, increasing the overall humidity in your house and decreasing the efficiency of your system.
When you get an AC maintenance appointment, the professional will change your air filter, empty your drain pan, clean your ducts, and check everywhere for signs of mold. It’s an important part of home ownership!
5. Extend Your AC Unit’s Life
All of the things that we’ve mentioned so far have a clear link to extending your air conditioner’s life. You might well ask - how long do air conditioners last? the answer varies depending on age, model, usage, and region - one thing’s for sure. You’re not going to add years to your AC unit’s life without actually checking up on it. All of the grime and little issues build up over time, so the best way to make sure your air conditioning goes the distance is to fix these issues regularly before they become a big problem for you and your home.
What Happens During AC Maintenance
During AC maintenance, we:
Replace the air filter(s)
Check and clean (if needed) the evaporator coil and the condenser
Check and recalibrate the thermostat
Check the refrigerant level and fill it up if needed
Clean and oil the fan
Checking and testing all of the electrical connections
Measure voltage of blower machine
Confirm vent and duct size - it’s super important to have the the right size of air conditioner in your home. If a professional spots that it’s not the right size, it can end up saving you money in the long run.
Look into potential energy loss in the ducts
Much more happens, but this is a decent overview for you to see. It’s really an in-depth job, and it is crucial that it happens every year.
Scheduling AC Maintenance
If you’re wondering if it’s too early to schedule AC maintenance - it’s never too early! Feel free to book now. Hopefully you can see that regular AC maintenance checks are super significant, not just for your HVAc system but for your whole home. Wishing you the best of luck in creating a safe place for your family to enjoy and relax - guilt-free.