Temperatures are slowly but surely rising, and soon enough you’re going to need your air conditioner to function as efficiently and effectively as it is designed to. So if your air conditioner is struggling at all, now is the time to tackle repair needs.
But what about preventing repair needs before they crop up? This would be the most ideal situation, right? We’ve shared some tips below on how you can do just that.
Have Your System Inspected
If you haven’t scheduled your air conditioning maintenance session yet this spring, now is the perfect time to do so. We recommend that this service be done before you need your system the most, after all. During maintenance, our technicians thoroughly check over your air conditioner, cleaning it and making adjustments, in addition to any recommendations for repair needs. Taking care of problems now means you’re less likely to have emergency repair needs later.
For instance, one of the most detrimental repair needs we could find is a refrigerant leak. When your air conditioner loses this valuable chemical blend, it cannot cool as it is meant to. But it will try to meet the temperature on your thermostat anyway—meaning it’s just going to keep running and running. A refrigerant leak must be located and repaired at the source so it doesn’t turn into a much bigger AC performance problem.
Change Your Air Filter
Many homeowners believe that the air filter within their HVAC system is there to protect indoor air quality. It’s actually there to protect the HVAC system itself from dirt, dust, and other debris that can infiltrate it and harm its performance.
When the filter gets too clogged, it restricts airflow, which causes your AC system to have to work too hard, leading to increased wear and tear among other AC problems. Your air filter should be changed at least every three months during heavy periods of use, and once a month if you have significant contaminants in your home, like pet dander or cigarette smoke.
Know When to Upgrade
The older your air conditioner gets, the more it accumulates wear and tear. Eventually it will get to the point that repairs will only last so long before another major repair is needed. This doesn’t always make the best financial sense.
A good rule of thumb, at least if your air conditioner is 10–15 years old, is if your next repair or set of repairs is going to cost half of what the air conditioner is worth, then it makes more sense to replace the system with a newer, higher efficiency, model. You’ll find yourself paying less from month-to-month to cool your home, and you won’t have to worry about any repair needs this spring or summer!
More AC Tips to Save You Money
Preventing repairs is great, but don’t you also want to know how to boost the efficiency of your air conditioner? Fortunately, there are many ways to do so!
- Ensuring your thermostat is working properly, accurately reading the temperature in the room.
- Upgrading your thermostat to a programmable model.
- Having your ducts checked and sealed to ensure no air is escaping into unoccupied spaces.
- Improving your home’s insulation to reduce heat gain.
- Limiting use of heat-producing appliances during the hottest points of the day.
For more great tips and even better air conditioning repair in Glenview, IL, contact Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning today.