How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs
Air conditioning is important for countless homes during the blistering summer months in Fort Lauderdale. However, the expenses associated with running an AC are substantial. Find how scheduled air conditioning service can lower AC repair costs, and learn energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll be able to appreciate a comfortable home this summer without breaking the bank.
What Routine AC Service Involves
Air conditioning maintenance is an inexpensive, predictable yearly charge that pays you back by shrinking repair costs and increasing your unit’s life span. Here are some critical maintenance steps that help avoid air conditioner breakdowns:
- Change the air filter: A dirty filter restricts airflow and causes your air conditioner to work harder, consuming more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Changing your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your yearly maintenance appointment, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, boosts ideal airflow and efficiency.
- Clean the condenser coil: The outside condenser coil emits heat absorbed by the refrigerant. If it’s caked in cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is impaired. Cleaning the condenser coil boosts the unit’s performance dramatically, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could result in breakdowns.
- Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, reducing airflow and reducing performance. Fixing the fins with a fin comb rearranges them to their original position to reestablish correct airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving hardware produces heat and causes unnecessary wear and tear. Consistent lubrication minimizes friction, ensuring smooth operation and cutting down on the need for repairs.
- Examine refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another reason why your AC can freeze up, causing longer run times, comfort problems and avoidable AC repairs. An HVAC specialist uses special tools to investigate and adjust refrigerant levels as needed to verify proper performance and prevent a mid-season breakdown.
Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs
Yearly maintenance is a key factor in reducing AC repair expenditures, but here are some other ideas to help your air conditioner operate reliably all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Increasing the thermostat setting limits the wear and tear on your air conditioner. Find a comfortable temperature and avoid setting the thermostat any lower.
- Install a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps manage your home’s temperature more effectively, reducing the pressure on your AC unit. An effective technique is to set setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to conserve on energy costs and further alleviate wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around windows and doors let warm, humid air inside. Apply caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overloading your air conditioning equipment.
- Put in additional insulation: A correct attic insulation level helps create reliable indoor temperatures and reduces your AC’s workload. If you can observe the attic floor or joists poking through the existing insulation, add more.
- Stop solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the workload of your air conditioner. Putting in window coverings and closing the blinds or shades during the hot afternoon blocks solar heat gain and lowers the chance of a mid-season breakdown.
- Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect created by ceiling fans makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which allows you to raise the thermostat setting without surrendering comfort. It’s a good idea to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
- Use a dehumidifier: For those who reside in a humid part of North America, elevated humidity levels can easily make your home feel cool but clammy, motivating you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier takes away unwanted moisture, giving your air conditioning a much-needed break.
- Clear out your vents: Closed or covered air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which might cause your air conditioning to break down. To avoid this, keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs unintentionally obstruct airflow. Improve circulation further by keeping interior doors open as much as possible.
- Invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, think about upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. In addition to improved efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or encounter maintenance issues than an older unit, lowering your repair costs in the long run.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in Fort Lauderdale
By investing in routine air conditioning maintenance and implementing other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with reduced repair costs this summer. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers quality air conditioner tune-ups to maximize efficiency and extend your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is past its prime.