How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs

Air conditioning is crucial for countless homes during the sweltering summer months in Fort Lauderdale. However, the costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Learn how routine air conditioning service can decrease AC repair costs, and learn energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll have a comfortable home this summer without draining your bank account.

What Routine AC Service Involves

Air conditioning maintenance is a low-cost, predictable once-a-year charge that pays you back by reducing repair costs and lengthening your unit’s life span. Here are some crucial maintenance steps that help prevent air conditioner breakdowns:

• Replace the air filter: A dirty filter restricts airflow and forces your air conditioner to work harder, burning more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Exchanging your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your annual maintenance visit, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, promotes excellent airflow and efficiency.
• Clean the condenser coil: The exterior condenser coil emits heat taken in by the refrigerant. If it’s covered with cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is impaired. Cleaning the condenser coil increases the unit’s function dramatically, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could lead to breakdowns.
• Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, reducing airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner’s performance.  Correcting the fins with a fin comb puts them to their original position to reestablish correct airflow.
• Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving parts generates heat and causes undue wear and tear.  Scheduled lubrication minimizes friction, ensuring smooth operation and lowering the need for repairs.
• Double check refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another answer for why your AC can freeze up, causing longer run times, comfort problems and preventable AC repairs. A skilled Expert uses specific tools to investigate and adjust refrigerant levels as needed to assure proper performance and prevent a mid-season breakdown.

Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs

Annual maintenance is a crucial factor in getting rid of avoidable AC repair costs, but here are some other tips to help your AC unit operate dependably all summer long:

• Turn the temperature up: Elevating the thermostat setting limits the wear and tear on your AC.  Find a comfortable temperature and avoid changing it to a lower temperature.
• Buy a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps regulate your home’s temperature more efficiently, reducing the strain on your AC unit. Remember to schedule setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to help save on energy costs and further reduce wear and tear.
• Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around windows and doors permit warm, humid air into your home. Use caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overworking your air conditioner.
• Install more insulation: A correct attic insulation level helps create consistent indoor temperatures and reduces your AC’s workload. If you can spot the attic floor or joists poking through the current insulation, add more.
• Stop solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the workload of your air conditioner. Installing window coverings and pulling the blinds or shades during the hot afternoon blocks solar heat gain and lowers the risk of a mid-season breakdown.
• Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect provided by ceiling fans makes your room feel about 4 degrees cooler, allowing you to raise the thermostat setting without surrendering comfort. Don’t forget to switch the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
• Use a dehumidifier: For those who live in a humid part of North America, high humidity levels can make your home feel cool but clammy, motivating you to lower the temperature on your thermostat. A whole-house dehumidifier takes out excessive moisture, giving your air conditioner a much-needed break.
• Clear out your vents: Closed or covered air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which may cause your HVAC system to break down. To avoid this, leave at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs accidentally obstruct airflow. Enhance circulation further by keeping interior doors open as much as possible.
• Install an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, start thinking about upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. In addition to increased efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or have maintenance issues than an older unit, reducing your repair expenses in the long run.

Schedule HVAC Service in Fort Lauderdale

By investing in scheduled air conditioning maintenance and adopting other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with reduced repair costs this summer. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers skilled AC tune-ups to boost efficiency and lengthen your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is starting to have problems.