During the summer months, few things are as refreshing as an air conditioner that’s working properly. But during the winter months, few things are as frustrating as an AC unit that’s broken and not working at all. That’s why AC repair and maintenance should be on every homeowner’s checklist of things to do regularly. However, many homeowners don’t even know how to start looking at their home’s AC system. If there are any problems, they should be aware of, which can lead to costlier repairs in the future.
Schedule Your Home Heating and Cooling Services Regularly
Since HVAC systems account for up to 30 percent of your home’s utility bill, they should be serviced regularly. If you have a central heating system, schedule an inspection once a year; if you have a heat pump or air conditioning system, consider twice-yearly inspections. AC repair companies typically offer annual maintenance contracts as well. These can range from $75-$125 per year. For routine AC maintenance in Grand Prairie TX that includes replacing all air filters, refrigerant checks and belts, expect to pay between $35-$75 per visit. If further repairs are needed, they’ll cost extra (you might also consider asking if there are energy-saving rebates available). On average, annual maintenance costs about $150.
Follow This AC Repair and Maintenance Routine
In order to keep your air conditioner operating at peak efficiency, it’s important to take care of routine maintenance. Here’s a general checklist of what you can do to ensure that your system is running smoothly all year long. If you notice debris accumulating in your vents or coils, don’t try to remove it yourself. Have a professional handle it. The task is easier said than done because most vents are located outside in difficult-to-reach areas. Leaving them unattended could result in dangerous problems later on down the road, such as increased energy costs or compromised system performance. To prevent any issues, get them taken care of right away. Also make sure all panels are attached properly and replace if they aren’t.
How Often Should I Change My Air Filter?
If you’re on a tight budget or simply don’t want to spend extra money on air filters, it may be tempting to buy a filter that doesn’t need replacing. If you do choose to replace your filter less often, though, make sure it is still a high-quality one. You should always have your filter replaced annually—or more frequently if there are small children in your home. At least once per year (or season), take some time to review your HVAC system and perform AC maintenance in Grand Prairie TX. Most importantly, keep an eye out for any problems that could mean something needs immediate attention
Why Is Air Duct Cleaning Necessary?
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that you inspect your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC) at least every three years to ensure it’s working correctly. If you do find a problem, it might be best to look into maintenance or HVAC repair services before things get worse. An improperly functioning HVAC unit is inefficient and even harmful in extreme cases. A new air conditioner installation may set you back thousands of dollars. But hiring an HVAC contractor to help you with repairs could save a bundle down the road as well as keep your family healthier while making sure they’re warm in winter or cool in summer!
When Should I Replace my Furnace or Air Conditioner?
While an AC repair service might take a proactive approach to maintenance, that doesn’t mean they can keep your system running smoothly indefinitely. At some point, you should replace an older system with a newer one that’s more energy efficient. Most HVAC companies recommend replacing your furnace or air conditioner after it’s been in use for 10-15 years. Most homeowners end up replacing their unit earlier than that because of consistent issues. The air flow has gotten too weak, or maybe it constantly breaks down due to cheap parts. While maintaining your system through regular HVAC repair service visits is definitely necessary to prolong its life, make sure you’re aware of when you need to start shopping around for something new.
When Do I Need an Annual Tune-Up for My HVAC System?
An air conditioning system is designed to take fresh outdoor air, cool it and distribute it throughout your home. In order to do so, several components are needed: a cooling unit, an outdoor coil that brings in fresh air from outside, filters, ductwork and a thermostat. Understanding how each component works together is important to ensure proper performance. For example, when you look at your filter you should see a noticeable difference between indoor and outdoor temperature. If there’s not enough airflow into your home then you may need more insulation. Even larger supply ducts to help get rid of hot or cold spots in certain rooms in your house.
Conclusion
The AC repair and maintenance checklist helps identify problems while they’re still small—giving you more time to come up with a solution. These problems include dirty or clogged filters, broken wires, damaged capacitors, corroded lines, etc. These are some of your most frequent AC repairs that you need to know how to fix on your own. If your system has been making strange noises recently—or if it just doesn’t seem to be cooling as well as it used to—don’t delay; call an HVAC Technician immediately. Getting these small issues repaired early can help prevent larger ones from developing down the road.
