It is common knowledge that paying mechanics for regular maintenance service on vehicles will help prevent paying them more later on down the road for a major repair. The same applies to air conditioners and heaters; both benefit equally from undergoing annual check-ups. If your air conditioner or heating system is not routinely serviced, you may find yourself struggling to afford a large bill in the uncomfortable heat of summer.
Air conditioners are specifically designed to be very tough equipment pieces. They are engineered to endure all kinds of abuse, but maintain their same level of functioning. Similar to the car parked in your driveway, your air conditioner must have tune-ups in order to run properly annually.
When an air conditioner goes without these maintenance services, the equipment loses around 5 percent of its efficiency for every year of operation. In other words, your 12 SEER unit that you purchased only three short years ago could be functioning today like a 9 SEER unit without a tune-up! Nevertheless, there is some great news. You can recover the majority of that lost efficiency through starting a regularly scheduled maintenance plan.
Research has found that with added tune-ups, the air conditioner will retain almost 95 percent of its efficiency. Therefore, the cost of the annual tune-up is more than made up for by the reduced repair costs in the future, as well as the money saved on your electric bill every month. Furthermore, an air conditioner that has been properly maintained will function much better for dehumidifying your home, which means you and your family will be more comfortable during the hot summer months.
Why Scottsdale Air Services
The check-up on the air conditioner should include cleaning the condensing unit coils, making sure the belts are adjusted properly, checking the amp draw on the compressor, oiling the motors for the fans, and checking all of the pressures and temperatures on the system to ensure it aligns with the specifications of the particular manufacturer. One of the most crucial parts that must also be checked is the coolant level. This is important because an air conditioner that is only 10 percent low on coolant can end up costing you about 20 percent more to run. As a result, the Air Conditioning Contractors of America suggests the coolant levels be tested annually.
In addition to annual tune-ups, it is recommended that some added measures be taken to guarantee a high level of comfort in the home and accurate system functioning. First, make sure you buy good filters and replace the old ones regularly. Also, cut down any bushes or other materials that are starting to encroach on the unit’s space outside. Another excellent idea is to stop closing the supply air outlets that are located around the home. In the majority of instances, closing these outlets becomes dangerous to the overall functioning of the air conditioning system.
With this important information in mind, it is clear that all Scottsdale air conditioning equipment require routine maintenance services. More complicated equipment, including the present air conditioners, benefit in a multitude of ways from receiving annual tune-ups. Their lost efficiency becomes restored, major breakdowns are prevented and altogether avoided, and the unit gains a longer lifespan. Even more importantly, serviced air conditioners provide added comfort and savings for you and your family.