Is a Maintenance Plan on an Air Conditioner really THAT important?
This is a common question in our neck of the woods because Air Conditioning season lasts for only a few short months out of an entire year. An air conditioner is a mechanical system and similar to most machines, service is required to ensure that it continues to run in top-notch condition when it is required, which will save you money in the long run. Any air conditioning unit, no matter what kind or brand you have, should be inspected, cleaned and serviced at least once a year.
There are numerous reasons to maintain your Air Conditioning System:
IMPROVES YOUR HEALTH
Keeping you and your family healthy is important and if your air conditioner gets clogged with dust, dirt and bacteria, you may be breathing in air that is not clean. This can lead to the development of allergies or other various health issues. Maintenance will remove all the unwanted debris and circulate clean air for you and your family to breathe.
RAISES COMFORT LEVEL
Although our summers are relatively short, they can be quite hot and uncomfortable to tolerate. If your air conditioner is not properly maintained, it will result in malfunctions or expensive repair costs. Ultimately, you will not be able to find reprieve from the heat when you will need it the most in your home or office.
SAVES ENERGY
Having a maintenance plan in place will safe you money in due time. Your electricity bills may be costing you a lot more if your system is not running efficiently. Even small inefficiencies will waste loads of energy. Neglecting necessary maintenance ensures a steady decline in air conditioning performance while energy use steadily increases.
REDUCES PROBLEMS AND BREAKDOWNS
No one likes to have to call for repairs when things break down. This can be frustrating during a heat wave. Maintenance plans will reduce all extra costs of parts, repairs and potential replacements of entire units. These costs can all be avoided if scheduled maintenance is arranged and can even maximizes the life of your system.
SAVES MONEY
With lower energy bills, fewer emergency repairs, and minimal parts to be replaced, it’s simple to see the savings. Make sure you service your equipment regularly (check your Manufacturer’s Warranty) to prevent yourself from voiding the warranty. This too will cost you more money if it goes unattended.
WHAT SHOULD AN AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE INCLUDE?
- Inspect and tighten electrical connections on units
- Check amp draw on outdoor fan motor and compressor
- Check sub cooling/superheat for proper refrigerant charge
- Tighten service caps to prevent refrigerant leaks
- Wash debris from outdoor unit
- Clean blower motor
- Check filter condition
- Clean and inspect condensate drain line
- Check for proper drain line pitch
- Clean/change filter