Air conditioning is important for lots of homes during the sweaty summer months in Kansas City. However, the costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Find how scheduled air conditioning service can lower AC repair costs, and take up energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll be able to appreciate a comfortable home this summer without emptying your wallet.
What Routine AC Service Involves
Air conditioning maintenance is a reasonably priced, predictable annual bill that pays you back by lowering repair costs and increasing your unit’s life span. Here are some vital maintenance steps that help protect against air conditioner breakdowns:
- Replace the air filter: A dirty filter slows down airflow and causes your air conditioner to work harder, burning more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Changing your air conditioner's dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your yearly maintenance visit, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, promotes optimal airflow and efficiency.
- Clean the evaporator coil: The interior evaporator coil can become covered in dirt and dust as time goes by, limiting its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant inside of the coil to freeze, stopping your air conditioner from working correctly. Cleaning the coil takes out this insulating layer and will help the refrigerant to perform this essential function.
- Clean the condenser coil: The outside condenser coil emits heat taken in by the refrigerant. If it’s caked in cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is weakened. Cleaning the condenser coil increases the unit’s performance substantially, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could result in breakdowns.
- Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, cutting down on the airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner's performance. Correcting the fins with a fin comb returns51 them to their original position to regain correct airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving elements creates heat and causes unnecessary wear and tear. Scheduled lubrication diminishes friction, ensuring smooth operation and decreasing the need for repairs.
- Examine refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another answer for why your AC can freeze up, causing longer run times, comfort problems and avoidable AC repairs. A technician uses specific tools to check and adjust refrigerant levels as needed to ensure proper function and prevent a mid-season breakdown.
Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs
Annual maintenance is a key factor in reducing AC repair charges, but here are some other recommendations to help your air conditioning unit operate dependably all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Raising the temperature on the thermostat setting curbs the wear and tear on your air conditioner. Pick a comfortable temperature and avoid setting the thermostat any lower.
- Install a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps control your home’s temperature more effectively, reducing the strain on your AC unit. Remember to program setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save on energy costs and further diminish wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around windows and doors allow warm, humid air into your home. Apply caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overworking your air conditioner.
- Put in additional insulation: A proper attic insulation level promotes consistent indoor temperatures and reduces your AC’s workload. If you can spot the attic floor or joists poking through the existing insulation, add more.
- Stop solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the demand on your AC system. Getting window coverings and closing the blinds or shades during the hottest part of the day blocks solar heat gain and lowers the risk of a mid-season breakdown.
- Use ceiling fans: The wind chill effect created by ceiling fans makes the room feel about 4 degrees cooler, allowing you to raise the thermostat setting without sacrificing comfort. It’s a good idea to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
- Use a dehumidifier: For those who reside in a humid part of the country, increased humidity levels can easily make your home feel cool but clammy, encouraging you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier eliminates unwanted moisture, giving your air conditioning a much-needed break.
- Make sure your vents are not obstructed123: Closed or blocked air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which might cause your air conditioning to break down. To avoid this, always keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs inadvertently block airflow. Improve circulation further by opening the doors between the rooms in your home as much as possible.
- Invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, start thinking about upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. In addition to improved efficiency, a new system is also much less likely to break down or have maintenance issues than an older unit, reducing your repair bills in the long run.
Schedule HVAC Service in Kansas City
By investing in regular air conditioning maintenance and implementing other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with decreased repair costs this summer. Neal Harris Service Experts offers skilled AC tune-ups to optimize efficiency and extend your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is starting to have problems.