Homeowners have always asked whether the advice to service their AC systems every year Is truly needed. Many think the idea stemmed from air conditioner technicians who wanted to scam them out of their money, but this is not so. You are advised to service your home’s AC system yearly for your benefit.
Air conditioners have a life span of 10 to 15 years. With proper maintenance, this figure can be extended for a few more years. However, you can also fail to enjoy your air conditioner if you have to repair it often at costly prices. To prevent this sad scenario and more, you should service your air conditioner at least once every year.
Why Your AC Needs Service Every Year in Boca Raton, FL
The debate surrounding the servicing of AC systems does not end with whether it should be done regularly or not. While some argue that the AC system must be serviced at least once a year, some go for a bi-annual check-up and some, biennial. The most important thing is to find the time that works best for you. With that said, here are some reasons you should pick once a year as the time frame to service your AC system.
Detects Faults Early
Your AC system has a long lifespan ahead of it, but you have to take good care of it to make it last as long as possible. If it breaks down too often, it increases wear and tear, which affects the total lifespan of the unit. When you invite a technician to do a full checkup on your AC system before a new season, you will be able to detect rust, leaks, and damages early.
Prevent Costly Repairs
One of the best ways to make your AC system last long is not to repair it often. If you have to spend hundreds of dollars every few months to fix a part of your AC or another, you will not enjoy its use. All the repair costs may also accumulate to a pretty penny which, in some cases, is enough to buy a new unit. To prevent your AC system from becoming a financial burden to you, you should ensure you service it at least once a year.
Improves Efficiency
Over the years you have been using your AC, the unit gets older, reducing its efficiency. To enable your air conditioner to work in the best form for several years, you need to give it regular maintenance. During the maintenance routine, the technician can discover any part that is not working optimally and fix it. Then, you have your AC working efficiently through another year.
Provides a Smooth Use of AC System
If you live in Boca Raton, you will need to use your air conditioner more frequently than people who live in colder climates. Unfortunately, the more you use your air conditioner, the more strain you put on it. Therefore, it is usually a great idea to do frequent servicing of the system to ensure it runs smoothly for as long as possible.
Improves Air Quality
The quality of your air conditioner determines the quality of air it circulates in your home. When your AC develops minor problems like a clogged air filter or leaking condenser, it affects how it works, and stale air is trapped inside your home longer. This can affect your health and those of your family. A routine checkup will catch such faults and fix them.
Prevents Overheating
Different parts of the AC system can break down without you knowing it. Each of these parts has a role, so when they fail to work properly, it puts a strain on the entire system. The strain often causes the unit to overheat and wear out. If these damages are detected early, you can prevent your system from overheating and promoting efficiency.
Increases Air Conditioner’s Lifespan
Regular checkups increase your air conditioner’s lifespan beyond the average. Some people boast of having used their AC units for almost two decades. They can achieve this by spending minimally on maintenance, preventing major damages that may call for frequent repairs. However, you have to know that too many repairs wear out an AC system.
For Warranty Claims
Air conditioning units usually come with warranties, with some lasting as much as a decade. Warranties can help you get out of a costly repair for a recent unit, but some makers only accept warranty claims with proof of maintenance. It means that for you to claim your warranty on your AC unit, you need to show their agents that you have a maintenance contract with an HVAC repair company.
Access to Priority Service
When you service your AC system often, you build a relationship with the HVAC company you use. You can also choose to enter into a maintenance contract with them which guarantees that they perform regular maintenance of your AC in exchange for an agreed cost.
When you have this kind of relationship with an HVAC repair company, you are given priority when your unit breaks down. This can be especially useful during the busy seasons.
Discount on Accessories and Services
Some HVAC companies sell accessories in addition to their services. For example, if you service your AC system every year with the same company, you may be eligible to gain discounts on your services. Occasionally, it also applies to when you purchase HVAC accessories from them.
Parts of the AC System to Service in Boca Raton, FL
During the annual routine service, technicians are always checking up on all the parts of the system. Some of the vital parts they pay attention to, according to the Department of Energy are:
Air Filter
The air filter is an important part of your AC system. It helps filter the air coming in and out of your home and remove particles from it due to its role in preventing dirt from going in with the air. However, that does not mean it’s normal. A dirty filter reduces the efficiency of your AC and forces the unit to work harder to cool the rooms.
The engineer will notice if your air filter is clogged while servicing the unit. They may also change it if needed. The most important thing is to get your AC working with a clean air filter.
Thermostat
The thermostat is the mouthpiece of the HVAC system. It passes communications between you and the system. Thus, if your thermostat becomes faulty, it will affect the entire system’s functionality. The thermostat is usually one of the first call points for a technician doing an annual servicing of an AC system.
Condenser
The condenser is the part of the AC that converts the refrigerant from gas to liquid. It passes the liquid to the evaporator, reversing the form to absorb heat inside the house and expelling it outside.
Window Seals
One of the major purposes of servicing is to promote the efficiency of your air conditioner. Therefore, AC technicians check for damages that may affect the efficiency of your unit. One such is air leakage from any part of the house. The common places that leak air are windows, attics, garages, AC ducts, and others. The technicians look at these parts and fix them if necessary.
Refrigerant
The refrigerant is what enables your AC to cool. It usually lasts a long time, sometimes as long as the active air conditioner. However, it is always necessary to check that the refrigerant level is not too low. AC technicians know to do this when they pay annual maintenance visits. The EPA also has specifications on the type of refrigerants to promote a green environment.
General Unit
After checking the individual parts of the AC system and fixing any faults discovered, the technician should check the air conditioner’s overall performance. To do this, professionals often turn on the air conditioner and observe how it works. Then, if anything is out of place, an AC expert will be able to pick it out, even if you can’t.
Other Things to Know in Boca Raton, FL
Now that you know that you need to service your AC system every year, you should know a few other things. Some of them are:
Check Your System Regularly
You don’t always have to wait for the expert. You can do some simple checks on your AC system to ensure that nothing is out of place. If you notice any unusual noise or activity from your air conditioner, consult an expert immediately.
Do Minor Cleanings Yourself
Many people do not leave the cleaning of their AC unit to the technicians who only come a few times every year. Instead, they clean delicate parts such as air filters by themselves, and some can do as much as change them.
Practice Healthy AC Maintenance Habits
Like every other system, your AC system needs to be well taken care of to perform optimally. To bring your AC to this level, you must engage in healthy practices that will prolong the lifespan of your AC. These practices include frequent cleaning of the air filter, turning off the AC when not in use, servicing the AC yearly, and so on.
Scheduled Maintenance in Spring in Boca Raton, FL
Most people leave their AC dormant during the cold months and do not check it until the warmer months arrive. So do not wait until this last minute to tune your AC. Instead, call the technician over once spring starts transitioning into summer. Then, you will have your AC ready before everyone else remembers to call the technician.
Change Your Unit When It’s Old
Your AC system is not meant to last forever. Once you have used the unit for more than 10 or 15 years, you should consider a new one. Newer models are released regularly, and the air conditioning trend often changes. So invest in a smart AC system as an investment for the next decade and more.
Conclusion
Now, you have the answer to your question. You must have realized that despite the arguments against it, an AC system does require service every year, especially in an area like Boca Raton. Therefore, you must ensure that your AC is ready to cool your home every time you need it. If you are in Boca Raton and want to service your AC system, you should contact Erica's Plumbing, Air Conditioning & Restoration for the best services and rates.
