Keeping it Cool Why Proper AC Maintenance is Important

Beating the summer heat is a high priority for many during this time of year. The easiest way to stay cool and avoid the heat is through air conditioning.

In the U.S. two-thirds of all homes have air conditioners. Just like people, air conditioning systems require routine check ups to ensure that they function properly. That is why you should create an AC maintenance plan and hire hire an AC contractor to regularly service your AC unit.

It is not unusual for AC and HVAC units to require repairs in order to ensure optimal working condition. You may be experience poor air flow or issues the the unit’s fan. By contacting a residential AC repair company and having the system serviced, you can usually easily fix and AC issues. Common air conditioning problems include:

• Faulty wiring: can be a fire hazard. It can also prevent the system from getting proper power.
• A frozen coil: suggests there is a problem with the system’s airflow. This is often a result of dirty filters or obstructed ductwork.
• The outside fan isn’t working: The fan is responsible transferring your home’s heat to the outside air. If the fan doesn’t properly work, the AC compressor may overheat and cause internal system damage.
• The outside unit isn’t functioning correctly: This problem indicates contactor problems, lack of unit power or a damaged thermostat.
• A lack of freon: could signal a leak or a problem with your unit’s refrigerant system. Freon is the chemical that cools air in the AC system, so it’s absolutely necessary that the unit maintains proper freon levels.

Most of these issues are simple repairs that can be fixed by a residential AC repair contractor. However if a unit is left without service for too long, or if problems with your air conditioner persists, it may be necessary to replace the entire unit.

On Average, the typical HVAC unit lasts for 12 years. After that point, AC problems tend to become more frequent. In addition to providing better, cooler air circulation, replacing your old air conditioning unit with a newer model has several benefits. The main one being better energy efficiency.

Along with other home cooling measures, installing a new, high-efficiency air condition could reduce the amount of energy used by your air conditioner by 20-50%. From 1993 to 2005, the amount of energy used by residential AC in the U.S. doubled. The amount jumped another 20% from 2005 to 2010. With hotter summers and larger homes to heat, replacing your air conditioner and upgrading to a more energy efficient system is an excellent way to save money.

If you feel like your home air conditioner is not working as well as it should be, consider getting it serviced. A residential AC repair man can fix any simple problems with your unit. And, if worst comes to worst, having to replace an existing unit with a newer model could actually end up saving you money.

Don’t suffer in the summer heat. Take proper care of your AC and see to its maintenance regularly.