How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs

Air conditioning is crucial for many homes during the sweltering summer months in Canada. However, the expenses associated with running an AC are substantial. Find how routine air conditioning service can decrease AC repair costs, and take up energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll have a comfortable home this summer without breaking the bank.

What Routine AC Service Entails

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

• Replace the air filter: A dirty filter obstructs airflow and forces your air conditioner to work harder, burning more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Changing your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your regularly scheduled maintenance visit, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, boosts excellent airflow and efficiency.
• Clean the evaporator coil: The in-house evaporator coil collects dirt and dust as time goes by, limiting its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant within the coil to freeze, blocking your air conditioner from working correctly. Cleaning the coil takes out this insulating layer and will make it easier for the refrigerant to perform this essential function.
• Clean the condenser coil: The outdoor condenser coil releases heat soaked up by the refrigerant. If it’s caked in cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is reduced. Cleaning the condenser coil improves the unit’s efficiency significantly, 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 reducing performance.  Fixing the fins with a fin comb returns them to their original position to restore proper airflow.
• Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving elements generates heat and causes undue wear and tear.  Scheduled lubrication reduces friction, ensuring smooth operation and cutting down on the need for repairs.
• Double check refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another reason why your AC can freeze up, producing longer run times, comfort problems and avoidable AC repairs. An HVAC professional uses specialized 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

Yearly maintenance is an important factor in reducing AC repair expenditures, but here are some other recommendations to help your air conditioning unit operate faithfully all summer long:

• Turn the temperature up: Increasing the thermostat setting curbs the wear and tear on your cooling system.  Pick a comfortable temperature and avoid changing it to a lower temperature.
• Buy a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps control your home’s temperature more efficiently, reducing the strain on your AC unit. Remember to program setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to conserve on energy costs and further alleviate wear and tear.
• Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around windows and doors permit warm, humid air inside. Try using caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overburdening your air conditioner.
• Add insulation: A proper attic insulation level helps create stable indoor temperatures and lessens your AC’s workload. If you can spot the attic floor or joists poking through the existing insulation, add more.
• Block solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing cooling demand. Putting in window coverings and closing the blinds or shades during the hottest part of the day blocks solar heat gain and lowers the risk of a mid-season breakdown.
• Run ceiling fans: The wind chill effect produced by ceiling fans makes a room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which allows you to raise the thermostat setting without losing comfort. Don’t forget to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
• Use a dehumidifier: For those who reside in a humid part of North America, high humidity levels might make your home feel cool but clammy, encouraging you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier takes out excess moisture, giving your air conditioning a much-needed break.
• Clear out your vents: Closed or blocked air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which can cause your air conditioning to break down. To avoid this, leave at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs inadvertently obstruct airflow. Boost circulation further by making sure doors between rooms are open as much as possible.
• Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. In addition to improved efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or encounter maintenance issues than an older unit, lowering your repair expenses in the long run.

Schedule HVAC Service in Canada

By investing in scheduled air conditioning maintenance and adopting other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with decreased repair costs this summer. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing offers quality air conditioner tune-ups to maximize efficiency and prolong your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.