As the temperatures rise, you can expect to use the air conditioning unit more often to keep your home cool and comfortable. To ensure that your unit runs without a glitch, you must give it proper maintenance. Regular servicing is a must, but how often should your air conditioning be serviced to keep it in tip-top condition?
How Often Should Your Air Conditioning Be Serviced?
According to HVAC experts, the best frequency to service your air conditioning unit is twice yearly (or yearly, depending on how often you use the unit). The ideal time to service your AC is in the fall and spring.
During the fall maintenance of your AC unit, the HVAC contractors will focus on making sure that the heater or furnace is functioning properly. Meanwhile, the spring maintenance of the AC unit makes sure that the unit is ready for the heat and humidity of the warmer months ahead.
The servicing schedule recommended here is for professional cleaning and maintenance of your AC unit. You should also conduct your own maintenance in-between these servicing schedules to make sure that the unit is working properly. For example, you need to clean the air filters regularly, or replace them if needed. It is also recommended that you clean the vents every 90 days.
Is Regular Servicing Necessary?
If you are wondering if it is worth the money and time spent on servicing your AC unit, the answer is yes. While you might think that regular servicing is a waste of your money, the ability to save money in the long run is one of the main reasons for doing so.
Regular AC tune-ups can save you up to 15% on your monthly energy bills. This is because a well-functioning AC unit can use less energy to function and generate enough cooling power. At the same time, a well-cared for AC unit is going to have a longer shelf life. You can get your AC unit to last for up to 15 years with regular servicing and maintenance.
Regular servicing iis highly recommended. You could spend anywhere from $70 to $100 for the professional servicing, but it could save you thousands annually from not needing to undergo repairs and by having lower energy bills.
What is Included in the AC Service?
Unless there are significant issues with your unit, a twice yearly servicing should suffice to keep it running properly. And in case you are wondering, a professional servicing for an AC unit involves a lot of things to make sure that the system is in good condition.
Here are some of the tasks that a technician will perform as part of the routine servicing for your AC unit:
- Cleaning and replacement of air filters
- Cleaning of indoor and outdoor coils
- Checking of condenser pump
- Checking the condition of the thermostat
- Cleaning the condenser pump
- Cleaning away any dirt or debris that could cause damage to the system
- Visual inspection of the entire HVAC system to make sure there are no major issues
Professional vs DIY Air Conditioning Servicing
Aside from knowing how often your air conditioning should be serviced, here is another common question that you might find yourself asking with regard to your AC unit: is a professional service worth it?
While there are a few maintenance procedures that you can do on your own in-between the servicing schedule, taking the DIY route is not always the best option. Skilled HVAC technicians have years of knowledge and experience that you lack. In addition, they are equipped with the right tools and technology to service your AC unit properly. If you were to perform DIY servicing on your AC unit, you could run the risk of causing damage to it since you are unfamiliar with the internal parts and components.
On the other hand, a professional knows the HVAC system from the inside-out. They will be able to perform the job with higher accuracy and effectiveness. They can also perform tasks such as lubricant and refrigerant checks, airway cleaning, and quality inspections that you won’t be able to do (at least not without the proper tools and equipment).
The Bottom Line
Be a step ahead when it comes to the maintenance and upkeep of your air conditioning unit. Do not wait until there are issues before you call in the professionals. Make sure to follow the recommended servicing schedule above.
A little investment can go a long way when you hire professionals to service your unit. Make sure to work only with professionals and HVAC experts for your AC maintenance to save money in the long run.
