Stay Cool For Less This Summer

What you can do NOW to avoid costly air conditioning problems

There’s GOLD in them there air conditioning systems!

“Gold?” you ask. “Are there air conditioner thieves about?”
 

“Relax,” I say. “Settle down.” I’m not talking suburban pirates—no need to bolt your compressor to the ground or build bunkers around your ventilation ducts. I’m talking about the safe, shiny gold of savings.

The treasure in your AC system will leak out if you don’t lock it down—it’s up to you to guard it. Good property managers know how to mine the savings from their AC systems: regularly scheduled maintenance by qualified service technicians.

You’ve probably heard the old homeowner riddle:

When is SPENDING money also SAVING money?

When you spend it on AC maintenance!

Cars need oil changes, gardens need weeding, and AC systems need tune-ups. Now is the perfect time to schedule a preventive checkup—before summer hits. If your equipment hasn’t had regular maintenance, odds are you’ll be blowing a lot of hot air soon. 

Proper maintenance prevents problems and saves money.

Every AC repairman knows that the number one cause of cooling system failure is a lack of regular maintenance. And every manufacturer, utility company, and consumer protection group—even the Environmental Protection Association— recommends regular service of your HVAC system, no matter how old the system is.

Benefits of servicing your HVAC system:

• SAFETY – Inspection of electrical and chemical connections, exhaust systems, and drains which can become clogged with mold or algae.
• FEWER REPAIRS – A professional technician nips problems in the bud before they need costly repairs.
• SERVICE SAVINGS – If repairs are needed, most AC contractors offer a discount to their maintenance customers.
• WARRANTY PAYOUTS – Manufacturers currently offer 12-year warranties on their equipment, as long as regular maintenance has been performed.
• ENERGY SAVINGS – A dirty filter can increase energy costs by 50% and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.
• EXTENDED EQUIPMENT LIFE – Many properly maintained air conditioning systems run for 30 years or more.
• PRIORITY CUSTOMER STATUS – Most air conditioning contractors give priority to customers who commit to a maintenance program. When it's 110 degrees and the phones are ringing off the hook, maintenance customers are taken care of first.

There is no better way to protect your investment in heating and air conditioning than regular system maintenance.

Maintenance Checklist

What should you expect from your spring and fall checkups? An air conditioning service technician should take all of the following steps:

• Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system will keep you comfortable when you are home and save energy while you are away.
• Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
• Lubricate all moving parts. Operating motors with insufficient lubrication causes friction and uses more electricity.
• Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A clogged drain can cause water damage in your house, affect indoor humidity levels, and cause mold to grow.
• Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the equipment’s starting cycle to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.
• Clean the evaporator and the condenser’s air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce a system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
• Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient.
• Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15%.
• Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this.

Most responsible air conditioning companies use a checklist that they will be happy to show you.

If you protect your AC system, it will protect you. Schedule an air conditioner maintenance appointment before it’s too late!