Air conditioning is important for lots of homes during the sweltering summer months in Fort Worth. However, the costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Know how routine air conditioning service can decrease AC repair costs, and learn energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll be able to appreciate a comfortable home this summer without draining your bank account.
What Routine AC Service Involves
Air conditioning maintenance is a reasonably priced, predictable annual expense that pays you back by lowering repair costs and lengthening your unit’s life span. Here are some critical maintenance steps that help prevent air conditioner breakdowns:
- Change the air filter: A dirty filter obstructs airflow and causes 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 regularly scheduled maintenance service call, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, encourages excellent airflow and efficiency.
- Clean the evaporator coil: The in-house evaporator coil accumulates dirt and dust with time, reducing its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant inside of the coil to freeze, blocking your air conditioner from operating effectively. Cleaning the coil takes out this insulating layer and will help the refrigerant to do its job.
- Clean the condenser coil: The outdoor condenser coil lets out heat taken in 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 performance significantly, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could cause breakdowns.
- Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, cutting down on the airflow and reducing performance. Fixing the fins with a fin comb puts51 them to their original position to reestablish correct airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving elements creates heat and causes excessive wear and tear. Consistent lubrication diminishes friction, ensuring smooth operation and cutting down on the need for repairs.
- Examine 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. An HVAC specialist uses specialized tools to check and modify refrigerant levels as needed to verify proper function and prevent a mid-season breakdown.
Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs
Annual maintenance is a crucial factor in getting rid of avoidable AC repair charges, but here are some other tips to help your air conditioner operate reliably all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Elevating the thermostat setting limits the wear and tear on your cooling system. Find a comfortable temperature and avoid setting the thermostat any lower.
- Use a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps manage your home’s temperature more effectively, reducing the pressure on your AC unit. It's a good idea to schedule setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to conserve on energy costs and further diminish wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks near windows and doors allow warm, humid air indoors. Use caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overworking your air conditioning equipment.
- Install more insulation: A correct attic insulation level promotes reliable indoor temperatures and will reduce your AC’s workload. If you can observe 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. Getting window coverings and closing the blinds or shades during the hottest times of the day blocks solar heat gain and lowers the chance of a mid-season breakdown.
- Use ceiling fans: The wind chill effect created by ceiling fans makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler, allowing 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 live in a humid part of the country, increased humidity levels can easily make your home feel cool but clammy, encouraging you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier removes unwanted moisture, giving your air conditioner a much-needed break.
- Clean your vents123: Closed or blocked air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which may cause your air conditioner to break down. To avoid this, keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs accidentally hinder airflow. Improve circulation further by opening the doors between the rooms in your home as much as possible.
- Install an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, think about upgrading to a more energy-efficient design. In addition to increased efficiency, a new system is also much less likely to break down or encounter maintenance issues than an older unit, lowering your repair bills in the long run.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in Fort Worth
By investing in regular air conditioning maintenance and adopting other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with decreased repair costs this summer. Calverley Service Experts offers top-notch air conditioning tune-ups to maximize efficiency and extend your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is starting to have problems.