In our previous blog post, we talked about the importance and benefits of springtime AC maintenance, with one of these benefits being that it helps to prevent big repair needs.
Routine, professional maintenance is indeed important for both your air conditioner and your heating system, but it’s not the only thing that will help reduce repair needs. Being diligently aware of how your system operates and when something seems “off” is important as well… plus there are actually a couple of at-home maintenance tasks you can do on your own. Read on to learn more about avoiding the need for AC repairs and therefore saving money and extending the lifespan of your system.
Don’t Underestimate Maintenance
There’s that “M” word again–but seriously, this is the leading way to prevent the worst of AC malfunctions. In fact, you can avoid up to 85% of the repair needs the average cooling system might ever need throughout its lifespan, with routine professional maintenance! Our thorough inspections and tune-ups will see that this is the case. Maintenance helps us take care of all the components of your air conditioner, and in addition to cutting down on the number of repairs your system might need, maintenance also improves performance efficiency, extends the system’s lifespan, and keeps your warranty current.
Plus, as we alluded to above, there is one maintenance task that you can, and should, do on your own–changing your HVAC air filter. There’s a pretty common misconception that the standard HVAC air filters are in place to protect your indoor air quality, but they are actually in place to protect the actual system’s components from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside. When the air filters get too clogged up, airflow is restricted. As a result, your air conditioner may have to run longer, essentially “working harder,” to try to reach the desired temperature set on your thermostat. This is very inefficient, and can exacerbate the wear and tear that leads to repair needs.
Pay Attention to Strange Noises
You can trust your gut when it comes to this–think about it; you know the average noises that your air conditioner makes on a day-to-day basis. From the gentle rattle of your ductwork as the air goes through them and temperatures fluctuate to the sound of that air whooshing through your vents, you can almost tune it out by now. What you should pay attention to, though, are any noises outside of the ordinary operational sounds. This can include screeching, squealing, clanging, banging, and even hissing. While some of these sounds may ultimately be pretty benign, they’re usually signs of some sort of wear and tear that, if ignored, can lead to a big and expensive repair need.
Don’t Settle for Uneven Cooling
As your air conditioner ages and wear and tear settles in, it may start to work less efficiently and less powerfully. Maintenance helps, but once that AC system reaches a certain age, it may be time to consider an upgrade. That said, this doesn’t mean you should just settle if you notice something like uneven cooling. Uneven cooling can be caused by anything from a dying air conditioner to a tear in your ductwork, with the latter being a pretty easy repair need for our technicians to handle. Give us a call if you notice uneven cooling in your home!
For professional air conditioning repair in Brunswick, GA, contact HendrixAir, Inc. Delivering friendly, five-star service, every time!