How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs

Air conditioning is crucial for lots of homes during the sweltering summer months in Fort Lauderdale. However, the costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Find out how scheduled air conditioning service can minimize AC repair costs, and take up energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll enjoy a comfortable home this summer without draining your bank account.

What Routine AC Service Includes

Air conditioning maintenance is a reasonably priced, predictable once-a-year expense that pays you back by lowering repair costs and increasing your unit’s life span. Here are some significant maintenance steps that help prevent air conditioner breakdowns:

• Replace the air filter: A dirty filter obstructs airflow and forces your air conditioner to work harder, utilizing more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Replacing your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your regularly scheduled maintenance appointment, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, promotes ideal airflow and efficiency.
• Clean the condenser coil: The outside condenser coil releases heat absorbed by the refrigerant. If it’s caked in cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is weakened. Cleaning the condenser coil increases the unit’s performance significantly, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could cause breakdowns.
• Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, cutting down on the airflow and decreasing performance.  Straightening the fins with a fin comb puts them to their original position to reestablish proper airflow.
• Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving hardware generates heat and causes unnecessary wear and tear.  Routine lubrication reduces friction, ensuring smooth operation and cutting down on the need for repairs.
• Double check refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another answer for why your AC can freeze up, resulting in longer run times, comfort problems and preventable AC repairs. An HVAC professional uses special tools to check and change refrigerant levels as needed to ensure proper performance and prevent a mid-season breakdown.

Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs

Once-a-year maintenance is an important factor in lessening AC repair costs, but here are some other ideas to help your AC unit operate faithfully all summer long:

• Turn the temperature up: Elevating the thermostat setting reduces the wear and tear on your cooling system.  Pick a comfortable temperature and avoid lowering the temperature.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps regulate your home’s temperature in a more efficient manner, reducing the pressure on your AC unit. Remember to schedule setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save on energy costs and further alleviate wear and tear.
• Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks near windows and doors permit warm, humid air inside. Use caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overburdening your air conditioning unit.
• Put in additional insulation: an appropriate attic insulation level helps create consistent indoor temperatures and will reduce your AC’s workload. If you can see the attic floor or joists poking through the existing insulation, add more.
• Prevent solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing cooling demand. Putting in window coverings and drawing the blinds or shades during the hot afternoon blocks solar heat gain and lowers the danger of a mid-season breakdown.
• Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect produced by ceiling fans makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which enables you to raise the thermostat setting without losing comfort. It’s a good idea to turn 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 the country, elevated humidity levels can make your home feel cool but clammy, causing you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier takes away unwanted moisture, giving your air conditioning a much-needed break.
• Clear out your vents: Closed or sealed off 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 unintentionally block airflow. Improve circulation further by opening the doors between the rooms in your home as much as possible.
• Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your AC unit is more than 10 years old, think about upgrading to a more energy-efficient model. In addition to improved efficiency, a new system is also much less likely to break down or have maintenance issues than an older unit, reducing your repair costs in the long run.

Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in Fort Lauderdale

By investing in routine air conditioning maintenance and following other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with decreased repair costs this summer. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers quality air conditioner tune-ups to boost efficiency and extend your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is past its prime.