Air conditioning is essential for lots of homes during the blistering summer months in Kingwood. However, the expenses associated with running an AC are substantial. Discover how regular air conditioning service can minimize AC repair costs, and embrace energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll enjoy a comfortable home this summer without draining your bank account.
What Routine AC Service Entails
Air conditioning maintenance is an affordable, predictable once-a-year charge that pays you back by reducing repair costs and lengthening your unit’s life span. Here are some significant maintenance steps that help avoid air conditioner breakdowns:
- Swap out the air filter: A dirty filter restricts airflow and causes your air conditioner to work harder, consuming more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Changing your air conditioner's dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your yearly maintenance service call, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, encourages optimal airflow and efficiency.
- Clean the evaporator coil: The interior evaporator coil accumulates dirt and dust over time, decreasing its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant inside of the coil to freeze, keeping your air conditioner from running effectively. Cleaning the coil takes out this insulating layer and will help the refrigerant to operate effectively.
- Clean the condenser coil: The exterior condenser coil emits heat soaked up by the refrigerant. If it’s blocked by cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is reduced. Cleaning the condenser coil boosts the unit’s efficiency dramatically, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could result in breakdowns.
- Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, cutting down on the airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner's performance. Fixing the fins with a fin comb puts51 them to their original position to restore ideal airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving elements generates heat and causes undue wear and tear. Routine lubrication diminishes friction, ensuring smooth operation and cutting down on the need for repairs.
- Check refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another reason why your AC can freeze up, resulting in longer run times, comfort problems and unnecessary AC repairs. An HVAC professional uses specific 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 key factor in lessening AC repair costs, but here are some other ideas to help your air conditioner operate reliably all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Raising the temperature on the thermostat setting limits the wear and tear on your AC. Choose a comfortable temperature and avoid lowering the temperature.
- Buy a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps manage your home’s temperature more efficiently, reducing the pressure on your AC unit. Remember to schedule setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to help save on energy costs and further reduce wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around the edges of windows and doors let warm, humid air inside. Apply caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overworking your air conditioner.
- Add insulation: A proper attic insulation level encourages reliable indoor temperatures and will reduce your AC’s workload. If you can see 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 demand on your AC system. Installing window coverings and pulling the blinds or shades during the hottest part of the day blocks solar heat gain and lowers the danger of a mid-season breakdown.
- Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect provided by ceiling fans makes your room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which enables you to raise the thermostat setting without surrendering comfort. Don’t forget to shut 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, high humidity levels can easily make your home feel cool but clammy, motivating you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier removes excess 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 AC to break down. To avoid this, always keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs inadvertently block airflow. Improve circulation further by making sure doors between rooms are open as much as possible.
- Invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your AC unit is more than 10 years old, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient design. In addition to increased efficiency, a new system is also less likely to break down or have maintenance issues than an older unit, bringing down your repair bills in the long run.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in Kingwood
By investing in routine air conditioning maintenance and implementing other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with reduced repair costs this summer. Finch Air Conditioning & Heating offers quality AC tune-ups to maximize efficiency and lengthen your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.