Ideally, you should have your air conditioner serviced before it needs a repair. Delaying preventive maintenance will add to the cost of repairs and shorten the lifespan of your HVAC unit by making it work harder every time it runs. There are many reasons to invest in preventive maintenance. With a simple tune-up, you can enjoy lower utility bills, increased efficiency, improved longevity and fewer repairs. Although homeowners and air conditioning contractors often have conflicting ideas about maintenance requirements and the recommended frequency of tune-ups, here are a few situations when it’s important to have your air conditioner serviced by a professional.
- At the beginning of the cooling season
- If you hear unusual noises
- If your home doesn’t feel comfortable
- If your energy bills are increasing
Reasons for Servicing Your Air Conditioner
Seasonal tune-ups are the cornerstone of preventive maintenance. It’s important to know that your air conditioner is ready for summer before the hot weather arrives in northwestern Illinois. Your HVAC technician will check each part of your system from the compressor and refrigerant lines to the fan and condensate drain. If bolts are loose or your system has lost its charge, these issues will be corrected to ensure that your system is ready to go. Small issues are responsible for most service calls. Generally, you should have your air conditioner serviced at least once each year. However, the recommended frequency may increase if you have a heat pump that’s used for heating and cooling.
Preventing Common HVAC Problems
In most cases, common cooling problems can be detected and corrected before they affect performance. Putting off maintenance allows problems to worsen. Occasionally, delays can cause another part to fail, which can increase repair costs significantly. Servicing your equipment is one of the most important things that you can do as a homeowner. If your air conditioner breaks down, you might be forced to repair or replace your unit in the middle of summer when HVAC companies are busy.
Don’t wait for a breakdown. To learn more about the benefits of seasonal tune-ups, call Ray’s Heating & Air Conditioning today at 847-637-5287.
