Is Your Air Conditioner Ready for Summer?
It can be tough to commit to spending money on a piece of equipment that is working just fine. But when it comes to something as important as your air conditioner, a little annual TLC is the best way to keep the cool air flowing -- and it's a great investment when you consider the cost of emergency repairs.
Leave Nothing to Chance
Spring is the ideal time to schedule your air conditioner tune up for a couple of reasons. First, the mild spring months are generally a flexible time for most HVAC technicians, so it's easier to make a tune up appointment on a schedule that works for you.
Second, tuning up your air conditioner in spring ensures that you’ll complete the process before using your air conditioner much or at all. As you’ll read below, tuning up prior to continuous home cooling will help you save money and get the most out of your air conditioning equipment.
Here are some of the key benefits to an annual tune up:
Avoid unexpected breakdowns. Just because an air conditioner failure seems to come out of the blue doesn’t mean there weren’t warning signs. It just means those warning signs weren’t detected. With an annual inspection, professional technicians can catch and fix small problems before they stop your air conditioner cold in the middle of summer.
Boost your efficiency. Summertime air conditioning bills are often the highest utility bills a homeowner will pay in an average year. In the interest of saving as much money as possible, it’s important to get your unit tuned up early. This includes a thorough cleaning and lubrication, which helps your air conditioner run like new and consume the minimum energy necessary.
Extend the life of your system. Most central air conditioners last an average of 15 to 20 years. Systems that are neglected may have serious trouble much earlier. But those that receive a professional tune up every year and are repaired promptly may keep you cool well beyond the 20-year mark.
Make smart replacement decisions. At the end of an annual inspection and tune up, you should receive a written report from your technician and have a conversation about what to expect in the coming years. With this record of data and these helpful consultations, you can take the guesswork out of major decisions like when you should replace your system. And when you can see that event coming years away, you can start saving for a new system early.
A Comprehensive Checklist
Not all tune ups are equal. Before you choose an HVAC service company, you should inquire about what their tune up procedure includes. A quality tune up will include all of the following steps:
Thermostat calibration check
Monitoring of refrigerant levels and operating pressure
Safety control check
Airflow measurement
Cleaning or replacement of filters
Cleaning and inspection of condenser and evaporator coils
Lubrication of all moving parts
Consultation to discuss upcoming service or replacement needs
This annual service is critical when it comes to keeping your air conditioner running for the long haul. If you haven’t tuned up your air conditioner yet, then give Avalonair a call on 914-207-7167 to schedule your appointment now. Summer will be here before you know it!
