The Importance of AC Maintenance
Summertime can get hot here in California, so even when the heaters have been blasting for a couple of months, before long the air conditioning is going to be turned up to its max. But when was the last time you did any AC maintenance, or had it professionally serviced?
Is annual AC maintenance really necessary?
Paying bills, buying groceries, and putting gas in the car are all things that you know are necessary. But is AC maintenance necessary? No, not really. Yes, you read that right – an annual ac maintenance plan is not necessary.
If your air conditioner is running okay, why waste your money on an AC maintenance appointment? But we can’t promise you nothing will happen going forward into a hot summer, like a blower motor going out, or an air conditioner that will only blow hot air. If you’re lucky, your air conditioning system may continue to run just fine. However, there is no guarantee you’ll be lucky, and having that maintenance can identify and prevent plenty of the problems that may crop up if you aren’t lucky.
What maintenance does an air conditioner need?
Okay, the salesperson that sold the AC system to you recommended an AC maintenance plan. You declined, then the 30-day checkup appointment, the technician recommended an AC maintenance plan. Again, you declined, but you may be wondering, “What does ac maintenance include?”
The two basic maintenance steps are routine filter change and cleaning the condenser and evaporator coil. You’re in charge of the filter changing – every 30 days, the same time you change the smoke alarm batteries. While every HVAC company will have its own process and routines, the following are generally a part of any professional AC maintenance check:
- Calibrate the Thermostat
- Examine the Equipment Condition
- Blower components
- Check the Air Handler and Furnace
- Check Electrical Connections
- Measure the Airflow
- Check Safety Controls
- Check Refrigerant Pressure
- Check and Clean Drip Pan and Condensation Drain Lines
Once the technician has completed the AC maintenance and inspection, they will review what they found and advise if anything needs to be replaced. They will also discuss with you when to schedule ac maintenance for the next appointment.
What kind of problems does air conditioning maintenance prevent?
Preventative AC maintenance will keep your air conditioner operating at optimum capacity. With the professional AC maintenance of all the components and if any are malfunctioning, the technician replaces the part, lubricates all components required. These steps keep your AC from freezing up and leaving your home amid a hot summer and maximize energy efficiency, which will save you money on your monthly utility bills.
How often should you clean your outside AC unit?
This step of AC maintenance doing it twice a year is sufficient, once at the beginning of summer and again just before fall arrives. All year long you should check around it to make sure there isn’t any grass or other debris sucked up against the unit and always keep the grass trimmed back.
During the professional AC maintenance check-up and inspection, the technician will check outside components too. This is where they will check the refrigerant pressure, they will open the unit up, and check the electrical components and blower motor.
Should I pay for AC maintenance?
And are AC maintenance plans worth it? Yes, an AC maintenance plan is well worth the cost, within reason. You don’t have to go with the company that installed your unit, although that will probably be the best pricing. The cost of the AC maintenance contract is minimal compared to the cost of a replacement unit!
How long do AC units typically last?
Today air conditioners can have a lifespan up to 20 years when proper AC maintenance is performed. An older air conditioner will typically last 12 years. There are several factors that will give you the longest lifespan possible from your air condition system, one starting with the quality of the system. A better grade and model, and a quality installation are key in getting a long lifespan.
Routine homeowner AC maintenance of changing the filter every 30 days has an impact on the lifespan as will annual professional AC maintenance and inspection. By keeping professional appointments, any small issues are found and handled before they become more expensive problems, or worse, replacement!
In Closing
Here are the four indications that you and the AC maintenance technician will know that it is time to replace your AC unit:
- It is older than ten years
- Has frequent breaks down requiring returns
- Energy bills skyrocket
- AC system is leaking refrigerant
Any of these things individually or a combination of these can be indicators your air conditioning unit is nearing its end of service life. It is important to note that an air condition system that is leaking refrigerant is not normal. If the system is leaking and it isn’t one of the lines, the system will need replacement.