For some people, air conditioners are simply luxuries that they use in the heat of summer. For others, they’re an all-year-round necessity, especially for humid and tropical weather. Either way, you’ve probably wondered how often you should get yours checked. Some would recommend every year. But is that necessary?
Not exactly.
This may be a bit of a surprise, coming from a contractor for air conditioners. But it’s true! There’s nothing wrong with having your unit checked every two years or so. Air conditioners are sturdy enough to withstand a few Summers, even if you use it daily. It’s not the type of appliance to completely break down in one go.
But is that enough? Are you okay with your A/C system barely getting by in terms of efficiency and the cool air it provides?
We aren’t.
If you want to keep your air conditioner in tip-top shape, then we think it’s important to have your air-con checked every year. Here are 7 particular reasons why:
1. It will help you get ahead in the Summer.
Getting a tune-up during the Spring is the perfect way to prepare the air conditioner for the Summer. Since you likely didn’t use it throughout Winter, your air-con may have degraded a bit in its efficiency.
Since you want an A/C unit that is very energy efficient in the Summer, get started and have it checked up in the Spring. It’s nearly the same as having your car prepped and oiled after a whole year of disuse. A well-prepped machine is an efficient one.
Especially if you live in a place with a long Summer, your air-con requires some care before getting you through all of that heat. You wouldn’t want it to break down or lower its efficiency in the dead of Summer.
2. Repairing an A/C unit is more expensive than maintaining it
Let’s go back to the car analogy. If you’ve ever had your car repaired after it broke down, then you know just how expensive it is. Compare that to a yearly check-up or tune-up. The reasoning is the same for an air conditioner. It’s one of those appliances that, if it breaks, it might even be cheaper to simply buy a new one.
But that’s the worst-case scenario. As air conditioner contractors, the best advice we can give you when it comes to taking care of your air conditioner is to have it checked and maintained often enough to ensure no breakdowns occur.
In our experience with repairing air conditioners, almost half of the repairs could be avoided if the air conditioner had been tuned up annually. This means that having yearly maintenance of your AC system can reduce the probability of a cooling problem by fifty percent.
Your next concern might be that the warranty should cover the repairs. That’s not entirely true.
3. Your warranty depends on regular maintenance of your unit
It’s not a secret that most appliances come with some form of warranty. But for several air conditioner brands, their warranty requires you to have regular maintenance.
Brands such as Comfortmaker, Lennox, and Trane have this in their guidelines. They clearly state that replacement parts can only be given if the air conditioner unit was given regular maintenance by HVAC professionals. It can be found under the header of “Exclusions” or “Eligibility Requirements”.
The policy may seem unnecessary, but it ensures that the unit is cared for and that breakdowns were given the most prevention possible. It’s also best for you to remember it since again, maintenance is cheaper than repairs.
4. It will increase the lifespan of your air conditioner.
It’s common sense that a regular check-up on your AC unit is both a preventive and maintenance measure. It can help mitigate possible problems before they need expensive repairs. And keeping it in top shape will lengthen its lifespan.
In the same way, neglecting your AC can do more damage than you think. For example, without regular maintenance, a small problem will not be detected, and that could quickly (or gradually) grow into a huge one that will cost hundreds of dollars on repairs.
5. Tune-ups help maintain maximum efficiency
For AC’s to maintain its best efficiency, yearly tune-ups are essential. Otherwise, the efficiency of your unit can go down by as much as 5% each year.
There are plenty of things that can contribute to the decreasing efficiency of an air conditioner. One of them is particle accumulation around the coils. Wherever your HVAC system is situated, anything from dirt to the soil to dust can get in through the holes. When these accumulate, the coils which allow heat transfer aren’t able to do so as efficiently. The particles block the heat, and your aircon becomes less adept at cooling.
Another would be a clog in your aircon, which would create water damage and unwanted humidity. Your motor could also deteriorate or require lubrication. The blowers need regular cleaning, or else the air will not flow as well. If all these problems can be stopped from building up, you will save a lot of money.
6. It is a recommendation by plenty of organizations.
Organizations such as EnergyStar, USDE, the EPA, and even the US Department of Energy say that annual maintenance of your AC unit is essential.
7. Scheduling will be easier.
A lot of people make the mistake of getting their tune-ups in the Summer. Because of this, you should get a headstart and contact a professional this Spring. They are able to be more accommodating to schedule because of having fewer clients. Especially us! So don’t hesitate to contact us before the busy Summer season starts.
Contact us now!
Air Professionals Heating & Air Conditioning delivers the best air conditioner installation, repair, and maintenance in the area. We have several promos for immediate maintenance and packages for our Annual Maintenance Program. These come with several more perks. Just contact us to find out!
