You know that if you pay your auto technician to service your car regularly, you can avoid expensive repairs later on. The same applies to your air conditioning system. If you don’t have regular air conditioning service, you could find yourself hot under the collar – both from the weather and from an unexpected repair.
Air conditioners are tough pieces of equipment. They are engineered to stand up to all kinds of abuse and still keep running. While this is good to know, don’t become complacent about air conditioning service. Like your car, your air conditioner needs a regular tune-up. Without maintenance, an air conditioning unit can lose 5% of its original efficiency every year.
For example, that 18 SEER air-con that you bought a couple of years ago might now be functioning like a 15 SEER unit. Fortunately, you can recover most of that lost functionality through regular air conditioning service. Research shows that a unit that’s regularly serviced will maintain up to 95% of its original efficiency.
Typically, an air conditioning service includes the following:
- Checking the compressor’s amp draw
- Cleaning the coils in the condensing unit
- Oiling the fan motors
- Checking the system’s temperature and operating pressure
- Checking and cleaning (or replacing) filters
- Checking and adjusting the belts
- Checking the Freon (coolant) level
The cost of an annual air conditioning service is quickly recouped through reduced repair costs and savings on your utility bill. Also, an efficient air conditioner does a better job of dehumidifying a home – a welcome fact for anyone living in muggy, sticky Orlando!
