How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs

Air conditioning is crucial for lots of homes during the blistering summer months in Fort Lauderdale. However, the costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Find out how regular air conditioning service can reduce 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 spending a lot.

What Routine AC Service Involves

Air conditioning maintenance is a reasonably priced, 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:

• Swap out the air filter: A dirty filter restricts airflow and forces your air conditioner to work harder, using more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Replacing your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your yearly maintenance visit, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, encourages excellent airflow and efficiency.
• Clean the condenser coil: The exterior condenser coil lets out heat absorbed by the refrigerant. If it’s caked in cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is reduced. Cleaning the condenser coil boosts the unit’s efficiency dramatically, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could result in breakdowns.
• Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, restricting airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner’s performance.  Correcting the fins with a fin comb rearranges them to their original position to reestablish correct airflow.
• Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving elements creates heat and causes unnecessary wear and tear.  Consistent lubrication minimizes friction, ensuring smooth operation and cutting down on the need for repairs.
• Check refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another explanation for why your AC can freeze up, causing longer run times, comfort problems and preventable AC repairs. A skilled Expert uses specialized tools to check and modify refrigerant levels as needed to ensure proper performance and prevent a mid-season breakdown.

Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs

Yearly maintenance is a crucial factor in lessening AC repair expenditures, but here are some other tips to help your air conditioning unit operate dependably all summer long:

• Turn the temperature up: Increasing the thermostat setting reduces the wear and tear on your AC.  Pick a comfortable temperature and avoid changing it to a lower temperature.
• Use a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps manage your home’s temperature more efficiently, reducing the demand on your AC unit. Remember to set 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 let warm, humid air inside. Try using caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overloading your air conditioning unit.
• Add insulation: A correct attic insulation level promotes reliable indoor temperatures and reduces your AC’s workload. If you can spot the attic floor or joists poking through the existing insulation, add more.
• Stop solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the workload of your air conditioner. 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.
• Run ceiling fans: The wind chill effect provided by ceiling fans makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which enables you to raise the thermostat setting without sacrificing 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 are located in a humid part of the country, increased humidity levels can make your home feel cool but clammy, causing you to lower the temperature on your thermostat. 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 unintentionally hinder airflow. Boost circulation further by opening the doors between the rooms in your home as much as possible.
• Invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, think about upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. 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 fees in the long run.

Schedule AC 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 decreased repair costs this summer. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers top-notch AC tune-ups to boost efficiency and prolong your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.