The air conditioner is an essential interior feature in most homes. It helps alleviate the discomfort brought about by the hot, humid air of summer. To fully optimize your cooling system’s benefits, observing regular maintenance is key. Unfortunately, many homeowners put off routine HVAC services until major repairs are clearly needed or their health is compromised. So the question is, can you perform air conditioning maintenance on your own? The answer is generally no, but there are some maintenance-related tasks that you can do while waiting for an air conditioner installation company to arrive.
Annual AC Maintenance by HVAC Professionals
HVAC systems have evolved over the years, and there are several AC components that require periodic maintenance by professionals. If not taken care of promptly, it will likely lead to bigger, more costly problems. In fact, for every year that your AC unit doesn’t get its spring maintenance tune-up, it loses roughly 5% of its energy efficiency, which can lead to a heightened risk of unit “hiccups” or even a complete breakdown. On the other hand, periodic maintenance will prevent around 85% of repair jobs and help the system achieve a long, impressive lifespan of 15 to 20 years.
As mentioned previously, for air conditioners, whether a ductless unit or some other type, maintenance service should be performed by trained technicians. They know how to properly inspect an air conditioning unit to determine if repairs are needed. Included with the technicians’ duties are the following tasks: checking and recharging refrigerant, cleaning the condenser coil and drains, lubricating motors and setting up the thermostat. Without a trained eye, the results won’t be as effective.
Maintenance Jobs You Can Do Yourself
Personally maintaining your AC unit is a critical support for the professional tune-up and inspection. A few of the smaller tasks you can handle yourself are:
- Changing the filters every one to four months.
- Keeping the outdoor components free of debris and organic litter.
- Making sure that room vents aren’t blocked to prevent air leaks.
For safer and more productive air conditioner units, turn to premier HVAC company Econoair Heating & Cooling Inc. You can also trust us for furnace and boiler installation needs. Give our team a call at 905-763-2400 or fill out our convenient contact form to schedule a consultation.