As you continue to use your air conditioning unit, it accumulates dirt and dust in various areas, like the air filter and condensing coils. If left unchecked, its efficiency plummets considerably. This means, it slowly becomes incapable of cooling your house the way it could if it were clean and well-maintained.
This is where the timely servicing of your air conditioner comes into the picture. In fact, this practice can save you a lot of unnecessary costs and hassles in the long term.
But how often should you get your unit serviced? Let’s find out.
How Often Should You Service Your Florida AC Unit?
It is commonly believed that an air conditioning unit should be serviced once a year. However, as experienced providers of air conditioning services in Florida, we know that it is best to have it inspected and serviced at least once every three months, even if you don’t experience any problems with it. This helps ensure that it operates at maximum efficiency.
Spring is the best time for servicing the unit to prepare it for cooling your house in the summer months, which can be extremely hot and humid in Florida.
It is necessary to ensure that the condenser of the air conditioner is properly cleaned. Ignoring this critical competent could mean a malfunction or the complete shutdown of your AC unit.
As a homeowner, you can take several steps to ensure that your AC is well-maintained. However, availing professional air conditioning services in Florida will be better if you suspect that something is wrong with your unit.
How to Maintain Your AC Unit
As mentioned, you can ensure the proper maintenance of your air conditioning unit as long as you take the necessary precautions and know what you are doing. Never make the mistake of repairing or replacing your unit yourself if you don’t know how it is done. It can worsen the problem.
Further, always ensure that your AC unit is not plugged in and isn’t receiving any power supply when you are working on it. It can lead to an electrocution.
That being said, here are a few simple steps you can take to maintain your AC unit.
1. Clean the Air Filter
Mold and bacteria can settle and thrive in the air filter. An unclean air filter can also make your life worse if you suffer from allergies. You should, therefore, clean the filter of your AC unit often. Simply remove the filter, scrub the dirt, wash, and replace. Doing this regularly is especially important if you live in a hot and humid region like Florida.
2. Clean the Unit
Cleaning the exterior of your AC unit is also important. When doing so, however, never attempt to open or dismantle the system. Leave the internal issues to skilled technicians who provide air conditioning services in Florida.
Make sure all your vents are clean. If you find dirt or dust, simply brush it off. Clear any debris around the AC unit. You can also make a cleaning solution using equal parts of bleach and water. Pour it into the outside drain to keep mold or fungus from growing in your ducts.
You should also see to it that the AC unit is placed on an even and clean surface to prevent any damage to it. Ensure a three-foot clearance around it and keep it properly insulated around refrigerant lines.
3. Check Performance
You can assess the performance of your unit by turning it up to maximum power and letting it run for some time. Watch out for strange sounds, reduced cooling, and offensive odors. If you notice any of these, contact air conditioning services in Florida immediately. If the unit functions properly, you have nothing to worry about.
Benefits of Servicing Your AC Unit
A serviced and well-maintained AC unit will keep you comfortable and healthy as well as save you money.
- Longer Lifespan: The average lifespan of an air conditioner is usually between 15 and 20 years. But, well-maintained units can last much longer than that.
- Lower Energy Bills: Regularly-serviced AC units tend to perform more efficiently. The higher the efficiency, the less you will spend on energy consumption.
- Fewer Repair Costs: Service technicians can detect any condition (in its early stages) that could potentially cause your unit to break down, sparing you expensive repair costs later on.
- Indoor Comfort: A poorly-maintained air conditioning unit may function, but it won’t cool the indoor air as efficiently as it could have with regular preventive care. A serviced unit also means you breathe clean air at home.
- Peace of Mind: Regular service can ensure that your AC unit is always in good working order and functions at its peak when you need it the most.
Conclusion
Regular servicing of your air conditioning unit is crucial to its long-term performance. For best results, you should hire professional air conditioning services in Florida. They will ensure a lasting job by uncovering and addressing issues before they get worse. Further, you can take certain preventive maintenance-related steps to keep your unit in good condition. The above mentioned information will help ensure that your AC unit is tuned to perform optimally when you need it to.
Engage Reliable Providers of Air Conditioning Services in Florida
If your air conditioning unit needs more than just regular maintenance to perform better, think of Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration. Our trained, licensed, and certified service technicians will find and fix all hidden issues in your unit before they snowball into a major problem.
