Late spring gives us a taste of the warm weather we’ll experience in the coming months. And with the heat comes the need for daily air conditioning to make your home a cool sanctuary. But there’s one question you should ask yourself first– “Do I need a tune-up before summer?”
To prevent yourself from having no escape from sweltering heat, it’s a good idea to check up on the status of your AC before the temperatures really rise. It’s a common fact by now that July is usually the hottest month of the year. And just two years ago, we experienced the hottest month in all of recorded human history in July.
With that in mind, let’s examine why tune-ups matter, how to determine if you need one, and how to perform regular maintenance on your AC units.
The Benefits of Tune-Ups
Think of your AC like you think of caring for yourself. When you take the steps towards self care, you’re more likely to live your best. The same can be said about your air conditioner.
The main benefit that you’ll find involves ensuring that your unit is at peak efficiency. Your AC system being at its peak is great for you for many reasons: decreased energy usage, lower bills, a cooler home, and a longer lifespan on your unit.
Using less energy means that your energy bills will be lower. Your AC working as efficiently as it can means that your home will actually feel as cool as it is supposed to. Lastly, when your unit is regularly maintained, this means you’ll experience less breakdowns and an overall longer lifespan of the AC.
How a Tune-Up Works
To understand how an AC tune-up works, you can also think of it like when you take your car to the shop. Your unit will be examined to see if there are any issues that stand out, and then they will do some routine fixes. It’s important to note that HVAC professionals will typically turn your electricity off when performing this routine tune-up.
The services that are provided for tune-ups can vary between the company, but here’s a list of what you can expect:
- Examine your refrigerant levels, air flow, and check for leaks.
- Ensure electrical connections are properly connected and working.
- Check that all physical parts are connected properly.
- Examine the run capacitor for bulging, discoloring, etc.
- Examine and clean the outdoor condenser coil.
- Ensure there is no blockage in the indoor evaporator coil.
- Examine and clean the condensate drainage system.
- Clean and adjust the blower components (fans, motors, etc).
- Check and clean or replace air filters, as needed.
It’s very crucial to remember that some of these parts can be dangerous if not handled by professionals. You should always consult a professional if you suspect there are issues with your AC.
Scheduling Regular Maintenance
Tune-ups should become part of your yearly maintenance routine with an HVAC professional, that way you know that your HVAC units are ready for every season change. If you’d like to schedule a tune-up with us, we’d love to help you. Contact us today!
