Investing in a new cooling system for your home can be quite expensive. You want to do everything possible to help extend the lifespan of your air conditioning system so that you get the most bang for your buck. One of the most effective ways to do this is to ensure that your system receives regular maintenance service.
Filter Changes
One of the most vital maintenance steps for you to do as a homeowner is to regularly check the filter in your air conditioning system. It’s a good rule of thumb to check the filter every month to see if it needs to be replaced. You can do this by holding it up to a light source and trying to look through the filter. If you can see through the filter, then you still have some usable life left in it. If you can’t, it’s time for a replacement. Most homeowners find that they’ll need to replace the air filter for their system every two to three months.
Professional Service
Professional maintenance service is considered in-depth maintenance that takes care of all the moving parts within your air conditioning system. This service includes several different tasks like greasing moving parts, fine-tuning your thermostat, testing electrical connections, recharging refrigerant levels, and so much more.
Cleaning Around Condenser Unit
An outdoor condenser unit is one of the most vital parts of your air conditioning system. It’s responsible for releasing heat from inside your home to the outdoors. In order for this unit to do its job properly, it needs to have around 3 feet of open space around it. If any of your shrubbery, low-hanging branches, or even leaves and other debris gets blown up against the unit, it can restrict the airflow around it.
When airflow is restricted, the unit won’t operate very efficiently, and you’ll notice that your home won’t stay as cool as you want it to be. It’s a good idea to go out after every major storm and check your unit to remove any debris to keep it in good working condition.
Aim for Spring Maintenance
It’s a good idea to do all this AC maintenance in the early spring months. This will give you sufficient time to repair any prospective problems that you may have with your AC system before you need to use it on a daily basis. You don’t want to try your AC system for the first time when the weather gets hot, and you need air conditioning to be comfortable. Realize that some system parts may take longer to get in than others, so having that necessary time buffer can make a real difference.
Duct Cleaning and Sealing
If you’re dependent on a forced-air cooling system, then you have ductwork that runs throughout your home. As that ductwork pulls air in, it can also bring with it airborne particles that build up inside it. Over time, this not only decreases the quality of air inside your home but also restricts the airflow through your ducting. This can make it harder for your cooling system to adequately cool your home to your desired temperature.
A great service to invest in every few years is going to be duct cleaning. This is where technicians will come out and use specialized equipment to clear out all the air ducts throughout your home. This service is great for those who suffer from severe allergies, asthma, and other respiratory conditions. You may even want to consider pairing duct cleaning service with duct sealing service.
Duct sealing closes off all the air leaks in your ductwork so that more of your conditioned air makes it to the rooms of your home. This can do wonders for increasing your comfort level while reducing your utility costs throughout the summer months.
The Benefits of Springtime AC Maintenance
Springtime AC maintenance is an absolute necessity to prep your air conditioning system for the upcoming summer season. This service is great for helping to ensure that your system is working as efficiently as possible so that you don’t waste any of your hard-earned money on costly utility bills. This will also work to drastically reduce the possibility of experiencing a breakdown during the summer season.
Professional maintenance service is typically necessary to maintain the warranty coverage on your system. If you don’t get maintenance service, you may find yourself paying out of pocket for defective components in the future because your warranty claim is denied. With a lot of AC repairs being quite expensive, it only makes sense to invest a little money in maintenance services to help protect your financial liability when it comes to system breakdowns in the future.
One really neat benefit of getting annual maintenance service for your cooling system is that it lets you discover how much longer your AC system is expected to last. This can give you the necessary time to plan ahead for a replacement. You can figure out favorable financing terms, decide on which system is best for your needs, and even have your system replaced at a time that’s most convenient for you. This can be extremely helpful as compared to waiting until your air conditioning system fails in the middle of summer and doing without it until you can afford a replacement.
Other AC Preparation Tips
While regularly maintaining your air conditioning system is a great way to keep it in good working condition, there are also some other things you’ll want to do during the springtime to give your system the best chance of working efficiently. One of the most essential things is to check all your air vents to ensure that they’re in the open position and that there are no obstructions blocking the flow of air.
If you rely on ceiling fans to help make your home feel more comfortable throughout the summertime, then you’ll want to ensure you switch their direction. They should be spinning in a forward or counterclockwise direction so that they’re forcing a breeze down onto you.
End-of-Season Maintenance
When we reach the end of summer and you no longer need to rely on your air conditioning system, it’s a good idea to prepare it for the upcoming winter season. If you have a central air conditioning system, it’s a good idea to cover up the top of your outdoor condenser unit to protect it from any snow and falling debris. You may even want to consider investing in a specialized AC condenser cover. This covers the entire top of your unit and includes a mesh covering for the sides so that moisture can still escape from the unit while protecting it from blowing debris, like leaves.
Reliable AC Maintenance Service
Fox Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers top-quality AC maintenance service for the Wheat Ridge, CO, community. We can also assist with all your HVAC installation, replacement, and repair needs. Simply call our super-friendly office staff today to book your next appointment with one of our skilled technicians. We can also assist with your indoor air quality!
