It’s easy to overlook routine maintenance when your air conditioner works smoothly all year. However, tune-ups are necessary to avoid surprise breakdowns, inconsistent performance and high energy bills. A professional can maximize your AC system’s performance and keep your household comfortable year-round. Let’s explore why AC maintenance matters and when to schedule your next appointment.
Your air conditioner will experience wear and tear as the years go by. Worn-out components, damage and corrosion will slow its performance, eventually causing it to break down.
While correctly installed central air conditioners last 15 to 30 years, routine upkeep prolongs your AC’s life. If you invest in routine maintenance, you can avoid premature breakdowns and ensure your system lasts decades. Seasonal inspections, cleaning and lubrication will go a long way toward boosting your HVAC’s life. You’ll stop buildup and wear and tear in their tracks, keeping your system running smoothly. A well-cared-for AC is more likely to last with minimal issues and wear.
Regular maintenance can also make your system more energy-efficient. Over time, your system will accumulate dust and debris on the coils, filters and other components. This buildup prevents your AC from working efficiently, leading to premature wear and breakdowns. You’ll also see higher energy bills and an unevenly cooled home.
Regular professional maintenance ensures your system stays clean and efficient. Professionals will check refrigerant levels, clean or replace filters and inspect and clean coils. Keeping these components in top condition maximizes airflow and efficiency for smoother operation and lower energy bills. Changing your AC filters on schedule can reduce your energy consumption by 5% to 15%. Keep your bills low and your home comfortable with regular maintenance and make the most of your investment.
Your air conditioner is critical for maintaining home comfort. If your system is poorly maintained, you’ll get uneven temperature control, disruptive sounds and unhealthy indoor air quality. Additionally, your AC might struggle to maintain a consistently comfortable temperature during summer heat waves.
Maintenance keeps your air conditioner effective and quiet, ensuring low stress and home comfort. With lubricated parts, calibrated thermostats and clean components, you’ll get even, consistent cooling, regardless of the outdoor temperatures.
Well-maintained air conditioners clean the air by design, reducing indoor humidity levels and preventing mold and mildew growth. An HVAC system has filters that trap airborne particles like dust, pollen and pet dander, reducing allergens that would otherwise circulate through your air ducts and aggravate respiratory issues like allergies and asthma.
Eventually, neglected filters become too clogged to do their job and can block airflow while allowing irritants to travel unseen through your home. Regularly replacing or cleaning filters will keep contaminants out of the air you breathe. Additionally, cleaning the AC coils prevents mold and bacteria growth, protecting you from health issues and irritants.
Regular maintenance also prevents AC breakdowns. Unexpected problems are inconvenient and potentially dangerous, especially during the hottest times of the year. Letting AC problems go unchecked leads to expensive repairs and replacements. You must invest in maintenance if you want to avoid sudden failure.
An experienced HVAC tech can fix minor problems before they lead to costly malfunctions. Components that need tightening, lubricating or cleaning might compound other issues, creating system failures. If you stay on top of maintenance, you’ll stop problems before they can shut your AC system down.
You can also save money on repair costs with regular maintenance. Missed problems and breakdowns often lead to more expensive repair or replacement bills. The longer your AC goes unchecked, the worse the damage can be. Inspections let you find and solve minor problems early, when they are easier and less expensive to fix. Additionally, it’s much more affordable to replace smaller components than it is to buy a brand-new unit. With good care, you’ll avoid surprise repair bills you didn’t budget for.
Maintenance also reduces your environmental impact. An inefficient, poorly maintained unit will work harder to keep your indoor temperature consistent, wasting energy. Investing in efficient, well-maintained units will use less electricity to cool your space, promoting sustainability. High-efficiency units and careful cooling can sometimes slash your energy use by 20% to 50%. Enjoy smaller utility bills and a reduced carbon footprint when you invest in maintenance and efficiency.
Most new air conditioners come with warranties protecting buyers from performance or quality issues. However, keeping your AC in top condition is often a condition of an HVAC warranty. If you neglect routine maintenance, you risk voiding your warranty, which means you must pay out of pocket for repairs or replacements that pop up down the road.
Follow your manufacturer’s recommendations for maintenance frequency. That usually means getting yearly professional tune-ups — technicians will perform a comprehensive checkup and ensure everything works. With proof of regular maintenance, you’ll protect yourself from voiding your warranty when something breaks down. You can claim assistance to cover the problem and enjoy a well-maintained unit.
You should get AC maintenance once or twice a year. Annual checkups ensure everything works correctly and catch minor problems before they become significant. But when should you schedule your yearly maintenance appointment? You should be strategic to prepare for inclement weather and eliminate surprises. Here are some of the best times to schedule your AC maintenance.
Staying on top of maintenance is an excellent way to keep your AC in peak condition. You’ll enjoy better performance, efficiency and comfort with a well-maintained unit. However, even the best-kept units need periodic attention. If you’re experiencing these signs, it might be time to schedule another maintenance appointment or inspection.
Have you noticed any temperature fluctuations around your home? Uneven cooling can come from blocked vents, clogged filters, dirty coils and refrigerant leaks. Getting a tune-up from a professional can help you restore your unit’s cooling abilities. With inspection and maintenance, you’ll see consistent comfort.
If your home has unusually high humidity levels despite running the air conditioner, it’s time for a checkup. Your AC system usually dehumidifies your home for you, keeping the air fresh. Refrigerant leaks, dirty coils or improper equipment size can cause indoor stuffiness. Professionals will get your system in good condition, keeping your house from feeling like a swamp.
Have you been smelling something unpleasant or off lately? Make a maintenance appointment if unusual odors come from your vents. Dirty filters, clogged condensate drains and stagnant water might be the source of your issue. When these problems go unnoticed, it can lead to mold and bacteria growth inside your unit and vents. Eventually, these issues will create the unpleasant smell coming through your vents. Maintenance will get rid of the smell so you and your family can breathe easily.
Cycling is when your AC turns off and on. If you notice this happening more frequently than usual, it might need some maintenance. Dirty filters, malfunctioning thermostats and low refrigerant levels cause short cycling. A quick, professional maintenance appointment can solve all these issues. Trust the pros to identify and fix the short cycling cause and restore usual function.
Strange noises coming from your AC system might also mean you need maintenance. Batting, grinding, squeaking or rattling are signs of something off. You might have loose fan blades hitting other parts or worn-out bearings, increasing friction. Debris can also get caught inside the system, creating intrusive sounds. If you let these sounds go unchecked, they can lead to severe AC problems. Get professional maintenance and stop difficulties at the source.
The older your system gets, the more maintenance it will need. As parts age, they wear out and need replacing or repair. Older systems are more likely to experience leaks and failures, so you should stay ahead of problems before they get out of control. You might need to invest in more regular maintenance as your AC ages. Book frequent maintenance appointments and have a technician assess your unit’s condition so you can plan to replace it before it breaks down.
You should get a maintenance appointment when your AC is on, but there’s no air coming out. Reduced airflow might mean your system needs cleaning, repair or unblocking. When you have restricted airflow, you’ll have to deal with poor cooling, higher energy costs and more system strain. Get an inspection and maintenance as soon as you notice this issue — you’ll protect your system and prevent expensive breakdowns.
While slightly higher cooling costs are typical in the summer, keep an eye on your bills. A sudden, dramatic increase in your energy bills might mean your system is working inefficiently. Maintenance will clear up debris, replace worn parts and fix any problems with your system. Getting maintenance can save you money while keeping you comfortable.
While you can perform minor AC maintenance yourself, you should also invest in professional maintenance at least once a year. Trained, certified technicians will check your system with an experienced eye. Here are all the benefits a professional maintenance appointment can offer you.
Whether you’re new to AC maintenance or looking for your next regular maintenance team, Strada Air Conditioning & Heating has you covered. Our team of expert technicians pledges to keep your air conditioning system running smoothly all year long.
When you choose Strada, you get expert service, convenient online scheduling and 24/7 emergency phone support. As a family-owned business, we understand the importance of customer service. We offer a 10-year labor warranty and servicing for all major brands to ensure you get the maintenance you need.
Contact us online to schedule an appointment today! Make Strada Air Conditioning & Heating your one-stop shop for air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electric and security services in the Southeast.
Joe Strada, owner of Strada Electric, Security & Air Conditioning, started working at the young age of 14. He’s never attended college, but he has spent his life dedicating his time and energy to his trade and providing high-quality services to his customers. At 19, Joe started working at a well-known air conditioning company and developing his commitment to excellence. He has state certifications in electric, plumbing, air conditioning, residential building and general contracting. During his years of training and experience, Joe noticed a sincere need for a dependable electrical contractor in Florida who embodied the same dedication to customer service in which he believed. In 2003, Joe co-founded Strada Electric, Security & Air Conditioning. Since then, the company has been in the business of providing peace of mind to customers. We offer expert electric, security and air conditioning solutions for homes and businesses, leveraging our experience to deliver professional and responsive service with reliability and respect.
