How Usually Ought to You Service Your Air Conditioner? (2024)

Air conditioners deliver your house to snug temperatures all season lengthy. Nonetheless, since they’re principally out of sight and out of thoughts, you may not know or take into consideration how typically it’s essential to service them. Normally, most HVAC professionals suggest performing routine air conditioner upkeep two occasions per 12 months to maintain it performing nicely and in good situation.

A well-maintained HVAC system runs effectively longer and prevents costly breakdowns. It additionally retains the air in your house clear, and there are many different causes to preserve your HVAC system. When you’re searching for an area HVAC service firm, you possibly can enter your info into this fast type:

When Ought to You Service Your Air Conditioner? 

Consultants agree that you need to have your HVAC system serviced twice every year. You need to schedule your air con tune-up on the finish of spring and fall. 

You wish to have the service carried out earlier than the warmth of summer season and the chilly winter climate. HVACs have a tendency to offer out once you put them beneath probably the most stress and the very last thing you need is to have a system breakdown when the temperatures are dangerously excessive. 

It’s crucial that you just sustain with these checkups, particularly when you have high-risk relations. It’s harmful to have an toddler or aged particular person in excessive temperatures.

What Is An Air Conditioning System Checkup?

When an HVAC technician completes a system tuneup, they go over your complete system to determine any potential issues. They have a look at any HVAC symbols to find out what to service, test the coolant ranges, change filters, clear evaporator coils, clear the condenser, add oil to the motor, test fan belt rigidity, and add refrigerant if vital. 

The HVAC contractor will even swap out any elements it’s essential to substitute parts like belts, motors, management boards, followers, and so forth. – however solely when it’s vital.

How A lot Do Air Conditioner Tune-ups Price?

Having your HVAC serviced will price between $100 and $200. If the technician has to switch any elements or add refrigerant, you’ll have to pay for that, too. 

When you’ve got an air conditioner made earlier than 2010 that makes use of R-22 refrigerant, refilling your system could be fairly expensive. Changing R-22 refrigerant could be troublesome as it’s now not offered or imported to the USA. 

So, in case your system makes use of this refrigerant, your technician must have recaptured refrigerant from one other system. As a result of getting it’s so difficult, the price of R-22 refrigerant is kind of excessive. 

Owners are actually paying greater than $50 per pound, and costs will solely go up as the provision of R-22 runs out. A 4-ton AC unit takes 16 kilos of coolant. Which means filling a 4-ton unit will price you at the least $800.

There are residence guarantee packages for HVAC programs that you can subscribe to care for your AC repairs and upkeep wants. You may wish to test them out to see which one most accurately fits your wants.

What Different AC Upkeep Ought to You Do? 

Along with having your air con system upkeep carried out twice a 12 months, it’s essential to carry out different upkeep duties your self. There are additionally some providers you need to have carried out each few years. Beneath are some upkeep ideas and methods to wash an air con unit.

Thermostat Upkeep

Your thermostat is just like the mind of your HVAC system. It tells your air conditioner when it must activate and off. 

Most thermostats run off your house’s electrical energy, however some are battery-powered. If the thermostat batteries are weak, it is going to trigger the thermostat to not work correctly. So, you need to change the batteries yearly or as quickly as you see a low battery notification. 

You must also test the prongs on the again of your thermostat face. Be sure the prongs usually are not bent, damaged, or lacking earlier than you substitute them. If there are any damaged prongs, you need to substitute the thermostat to maintain your AC working nicely.

Coil Cleansing

Your air conditioner makes use of a condenser coil and an evaporator coil. The indoor coil removes the warmth and moisture from your house. The out of doors coil cools the refrigerant and returns it again to your indoor evaporator coil. 

When the coils are soiled, your system isn’t as environment friendly. So, it’s a good suggestion to wash them annually. Coil cleansing is a reasonably straightforward job to do your self. Nonetheless, you’ll want to take some security precautions, and in case you are uncomfortable with the job, you possibly can rent an HVAC skilled as an alternative.

Associated: What’s an Air Conditioning Coil Cleaner?

Ductwork Cleansing 

There are various properties which have by no means had the ducts cleaned. In contrast to your indoor and out of doors air conditioner models, which have most likely been changed if you happen to stay in an older residence, it’s unlikely that you’ve put in new ductwork. 

Which means you can have many years of mud and particles within the vents. The particles that’s in your air conditioning system blows into your house and it will probably trigger allergic reactions and even transmit viruses and micro organism.

Having your ductwork cleaned is not only a luxurious, it’s vital. Your HVAC firm will use cleaners which are accredited by the EPA for duct cleansing, and the sanitization will take away mud, particles, and allergens. 

Air Filters 

Chances are you’ll not understand how vital it’s to alter your AC filters. Soiled filters pressure your air conditioner by limiting the airflow. 

While you use a filter that’s clogged, it doesn’t work correctly. The aim of your air filter is to forestall particles from getting into the air handler. 

Over time, pollen, dander, and different pollution get into your HVAC system, which makes the coils, fan motor, and different parts much less environment friendly. Ultimately, it will probably trigger system breakdowns.

Clear The Drain Line

Your air conditioner has a condensate pan that collects condensation out of your unit. The water that collects within the tray then goes by way of a pipe that results in the outside of your house. 

When the condensate drain will get clogged, the water can overflow into your house. And in case your AC unit is in a completed space or above one (like in an attic), the water leakage could be disastrous to drywall, insulation, and wooden. 

Through the summer season months, your air conditioner produces extra condensation. Because it cools sizzling air, it collects moisture — as chilly air can’t maintain as a lot as heat air. So, you need to test the drain line earlier than each cooling season. 

For extra info on cleansing your air conditioner drain line, take a look at this video:

What Occurs If You Do Not Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced? 

Routine upkeep by a certified HVAC contractor is crucial. If you don’t preserve your air conditioner, it is going to find yourself costing you extra in the long term. So, whereas there may be some expense concerned with sustaining your system, you’ll get pleasure from cleaner air, decrease your electrical energy payments, and your system will last more. 

Save Cash On Electrical energy Payments

A well-maintained HVAC system has higher power effectivity. When your heating and cooling system is working nicely, it prices you much less in electrical energy utilization. 

Though some owners discover that it’s cheaper to maintain the AC on, your system doesn’t have to remain on as lengthy to take care of a cushty temperature whether it is working nicely, and a system that’s inefficient can add a whole lot of {dollars} to your electrical invoice each month.

Hold Your Guarantee Lively

Some air con producers require owners to take care of their cooling and heating programs in good working situation to maintain their guarantee. Failing to carry out common upkeep, like altering your air filters and having your air con unit tuned up yearly, can void your guarantee. 

Enhance The Air High quality In Your Dwelling

A grimy AC system could make the air in your house unhealthy. Your air conditioner removes moisture when it turns sizzling air into cool air. It additionally filters out mud, particulate, and different small particles, bettering your indoor air high quality

Nonetheless, if the ductwork, evaporator coil, and air filter are soiled, it will probably lure extra mud and grime. This results in poor airflow and an inefficient system. On this case, moisture will condense in these soiled and dust-filled areas and create a breeding floor for mildew and mildew.

This creates an unhealthy combine, and chances are you’ll find yourself having to disinfect your AC system.

How Can You Save Cash On Central Air Service?

AC service isn’t non-compulsory, however there are methods it can save you cash on annual upkeep. Top-of-the-line methods is to purchase a house guarantee that covers your house programs. 

There are even some plans that cowl annual service they usually cowl warmth pumps, furnaces, air conditioners, compressor models, evaporator coils, and different main parts of your HVAC system. 

Dwelling warranties price about $500-$600 per 12 months, however you possibly can break it down into reasonably priced month-to-month funds. Plus, your house service contract will enable you preserve your AC system working nicely, which is able to prevent cash. 

Closing Recommendation On Air HVAC Upkeep

With so many causes to care for your AC system, it’s clear that you need to observe by way of with air con upkeep two occasions per 12 months. Investing in HVAC checkups will improve the lifespan of your models and prevent cash.