5 Smart Reasons to Schedule an Air Conditioning Tune-Up

Anyone can easily neglect appliances until they need help. However, proactive homeowners have learned to maintain their appliances, including central air conditioning (AC) units, to receive top performance from their investments. Here are five benefits you receive when you wisely schedule an AC tune-up this spring and summer.

1. AC Tune-Ups Lower Summer Cooling Costs

Multiple issues with older central AC systems can cause the units to become highly inefficient. For example, something as simple as excess dust can cause corrosion or other performance issues in your system. In addition, if you don’t change the filters on your HVAC unit often enough, the dust and debris bypass the filter and clutter up the works inside the appliance.

Dirty evaporator and condenser coils cause AC systems to use more power. If your outside AC unit is covered in bugs, leaves, and climbing weeds, the unit doesn’t get proper airflow to cool your home efficiently.

Clogged drains or drainpipes from HVAC units can cause some AC units to shut down when the collected condensate overflows eventually. Blocked drains also hinder an AC unit’s ability to remove moisture from the indoor air, which can cause higher cooling bills and unsightly water stains on flooring and walls.

During a tune-up, the HVAC professional checks all AC parts for the buildup of dirt and debris before cleaning the unit. Any parts corroded, displaced, plugged, or damaged by debris have been repaired or replaced. Then, your unit functions at top efficiency, keeping your cooling costs lower than running the same air conditioner with grimy, dust-choked parts.

An improperly installed or un-calibrated thermostat can cause your unit to kick on more often than is necessary to cool your home adequately. When the thermostat is calibrated, replaced, or moved, your AC unit will work more efficiently and cost less to run. If your AC unit has a thermostat problem or incompatibility, an AC tune-up will discover the issue.

2. AC Inspections Keep HVAC Molehills From Becoming Mountains

Life’s not easy for certain parts of your AC system. For example, fans must spin for years at the optimum speed. In addition, if caked-on dust covers its blades or rotor base, your AC fan must overcome the debris’s extra weight and friction. As a result, fans can wobble or corrode, making them less efficient and prone to failure.

The vibration of an AC unit over time can loosen bolts and nuts that hold the appliance together and hold components in place. Additional issues that can happen inside the HVAC enclosure include:

• Loose or rodent-damaged wiring
• Corrosion of interior metals
• Failure of heat-pump components
• Tripped circuit breakers

Outside the AC unit, you may have issues with airflow, ductwork, and blocked vents.

Over time, small issues like loose bolts can become significant issues. A vital component like a fan can break away, a flexible wire can create a short, and a corroded duct part can allow hot air to mix with the cooled AC air as the metal duct continues to disintegrate. Your AC unit can shut down entirely in the middle of a party or intense heat wave from what started as a minor issue.

When you schedule an AC tune-up, the technician can resolve and repair little issues before they become big issues. The HVAC professional goes behind the scenes to access the hidden AC parts that could spell a hot future for you if you don’t correctly service the AC unit.

3. AC Inspections Catch Refrigerant Issues

Refrigerant problems are some of the most common issues with AC units. If you have never had a professional look at your refrigerant and have owned your home for a while, check the AC refrigerant levels and delivery system.

Problems with AC refrigerant systems can include the following:

• The wrong type of refrigerant
• Inaccurate prior refrigerant charge
• Refrigerant-system leaks

Some refrigerants are being phased out, but you have replacement refrigerants that will work. Don’t wait until your unit has no refrigerant left to find out you need a special-order product. Your HVAC pro will catch any problems with refrigerant when you schedule an AC tune-up, but schedule that tune-up before the issue becomes a pain.

4. AC Tune-Ups Can Reduce AC Rattle

Numerous problems can cause loud noises in your AC system. Some noise is normal when running your AC since a compressor and fan can’t be made entirely silent. Additionally, suppose your return air vent is the wrong size. In that case, the movement of air through the panel can be louder than you prefer. AC units can sound loud or rattling when the following problems are present in the system:

• Loose screws
• Wobbling or broken fan
• Lack of lubrication on moving parts
• Dirty or misshaped coil fins
• Debris on top of the HVAC enclosure
• Loose wiring
• Broken internal component

Your HVAC professional will tighten all fasteners, lubricate moving parts, and repair or replace broken components to reduce the related rattle, hum, or buzz that drives you crazy.

Contact Derek Sawyer’s Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule a thorough tune-up of your AC system in Modesto, Fresno, and Stockton, California. Enjoy a cool summer without worrying about AC breakdowns.