Have you ever turned on your air conditioner on the first hot day of the year, ready for some refreshingly cold air, only to find that it’s struggling to keep your home cool or making funny noises? A broken AC is something no homeowner wants to face, especially as temperatures rise. That’s why it’s important to schedule an air conditioning tune-up before the hot summer months arrive.
Let’s learn more about how often you should schedule an inspection for your AC, as well as what signs might indicate it’s time to call in professionals.
Image on Unsplash
How Often Should You Schedule an Air Conditioning Tune-Up?
For the average homeowner, most professionals will recommend scheduling a tune-up once a year. Ideally, this should be done in spring before turning on your AC. Annual spring maintenance helps ensure your AC system is in good working order by catching any potential issues before they turn into much more costly and time-consuming repairs.
While an annual tune-up is a good rule of thumb for most people, some homeowners may need more frequent maintenance. You may consider scheduling more than one tune-up a year, depending on:
Frequency of Use
Do you use your AC year-round? While constant use keeps you comfortable, it can be more taxing on your AC system and will, naturally, require more frequent maintenance to keep running smoothly. The air filters will likely need to be changed or cleaned more often as well.
Home Air Quality
Homes in areas with high levels of dust, pollen, or pollution may also require more frequent air conditioning maintenance. These contaminants wear on your AC system, and over time, your home’s indoor air quality can be impacted. Pet hair and dander can also affect the efficiency of your HVAC system and filters.
If the air outside your home is particularly full of impurities or you have multiple furry friends in your home, consider additional maintenance. You should definitely replace or clean your system’s air filters more frequently.
AC System Age
Older AC units—those over 10 years old—may require more frequent maintenance to help prevent breakdowns and inefficiencies. If you know your system has a history of issues, scheduling preventive maintenance can stop problems before they start.
Benefits of Regular Air Conditioning Tune-Ups
A lot of homeowners procrastinate when scheduling routine maintenance, especially if they haven’t had prior issues with their HVAC system. However, there are numerous reasons why regular tune-ups are to your benefit as a homeowner.
Improved Performance
Everyday use, dust, pet dander, and environmental particles all wear on your AC, reducing its efficiency. A professional tune-up gives your system the TLC it needs to keep on performing at its best.
Energy Savings
An AC that hasn’t had maintenance in several years has to work harder to cool down your home. This uses more energy, which can show up as a spike in your electric bill. Keeping your air conditioner well-maintained can help save you energy and money, even with older, less energy-efficient models.
Extended Life Span
Replacing your air conditioner can be pricey, with new units averaging $5,955 to purchase and install. AC units can last between 10 and 20 years. If there are no major issues with your unit, then preventative maintenance is often cheaper than replacement, helping you extend the life of your AC system for another few years.
Prevents Emergencies and Future Damage
You may be tempted to call in the professionals only if there’s something wrong with your HVAC system. But no one likes to deal with an emergency when it’s 90 degrees outside. Regularly scheduled maintenance helps you catch potential issues before they have the chance to escalate into a major problem later in the year.
Better Air Quality
When you tune up your AC system, your whole family will be able to breathe a little bit easier. Remember that your HVAC system does more than keep the temperature of your home comfortable. It keeps your indoor air clean by reducing dust, allergens, and other pollutants. It also controls humidity levels.
Warranty Compliance
Many manufacturers require that you conduct regular maintenance to keep your AC warranty valid. Neglecting maintenance could unintentionally void your warranty, putting you in a situation where you’re responsible for paying the full price of typically covered repairs.
Signs Your AC Needs Maintenance
Even if you’re on top of your annual air conditioning tune-up schedule, you should always keep an eye out for signs that indicate your AC system needs maintenance sooner than expected.
Your AC Isn’t Keeping Things Cool
An air conditioner that’s suddenly struggling to cool down your home is one of the more obvious signs that something needs to be repaired. Also, watch out for weak airflow, which could be a sign that your filters or ducts are clogged.
There’s an Unusual Noise
An air conditioner should run quietly in the background. If you hear rattling, squeaking, grinding, or other unusual noises, it could be a sign that there’s a mechanical issue that should be looked at.
There’s a Strange Smell
Musty odors or bad smells coming from your AC system could indicate mold, mildew, or even electrical issues—all of which can be dangerous to your family’s health.
Your Energy Bills Are Suddenly Higher
Most household energy bills don’t spike sharply, but if you notice you’re suddenly paying a lot more without making any changes to your routine, it’s best to let a professional look for inefficiencies.
What’s Involved in an Air Conditioning Tune-Up?
When you schedule a tune-up for your home’s AC system with an HVAC company, such as All Weather Heating & Cooling, a repair expert will conduct a general inspection, ensuring everything is operating efficiently. The technician will inspect all parts of your HVAC system, including indoor and outdoor components. This inspection is important to check for any damaged, loose, or dirty parts.
Next, the repair expert will clean and fix any damage, as necessary, clear out any blockages in air ducts, ensure that refrigerant levels are correct, and replace the air filter.
Once maintenance is complete, the technician will also be able to advise you on any future steps you should take to ensure that your air conditioning system remains in good working condition, no matter how hot it gets outside.