Fall is the Perfect Time to Schedule AC Maintenance Services

Summers in Weston, FL, really puts air conditioning units to the test. Most homes are running their units constantly to keep cool, which can put a lot of stress on your AC system. Even if your unit seems to be running perfectly, if it’s been blasting all summer, fall is a great time to schedule AC maintenance. 

Maintenance visits can uncover issues that may be festering under the surface. Catching these issues early can save you from a breakdown or big repair bills later on. 

Why You Should Schedule an AC Tune-Up in the Fall

Lack of maintenance is the number one cause of AC unit breakdowns. Scheduling AC maintenance at any time is a good idea, but it is especially important in the fall. Here’s why: 

Energy Efficiency

Your AC unit is a complex machine with many sophisticated parts. When some parts begin to wear down, your unit may have to work extra hard to compensate. If your unit is struggling to keep up, it is not cooling your home efficiently, which is using more electricity and may cost you more in energy bills. 

The last thing you want is to be surprised with a huge energy bill. AC maintenance will uncover any issues and repair them to maximize the efficiency of your unit.

Extend the Life of Your Unit

The average AC unit lasts about 12 to 15 years. If you don’t schedule regular maintenance, your unit may not make it that long. AC units can be expensive to replace, so you want to do everything you can to maintain the unit’s life. 

When parts aren’t functioning properly, it can impact the unit’s overall functioning, making it run harder and wearing it out faster. Well-maintained units should have no problem lasting a full 15 years.

Understand the Current Condition of Your Unit

Your AC unit is an expensive appliance that is critical to the comfort of your home. The last thing you want is to be surprised by the need for a replacement. When you schedule a maintenance service, the technician will share critical information about your unit. 

They can tell you what needs to be repaired, what looks good, and what warranties you may use. They can also give you a heads up that it may be time to start thinking about a new unit. 

This notice provides you time to shop for a new unit and plan rather than find yourself scrambling in the case of a breakdown. 

Avoid Breakdowns

Faulty parts are rarely the reason for an AC unit breakdown. Most of the time, breakdowns are caused by a lack of maintenance. When a technician comes to address a breakdown, more often than not, they find that the root cause of the issue has been happening for some time and could have been addressed earlier. 

The cost of AC services will always be more expensive than scheduling a maintenance visit and repairing a small issue. Even worse, breakdowns rarely happen at convenient times. 

The last thing you want is for your unit to break down on a weekend when you have company over or during the middle of the night. Not only will you have the cost of repairs, but you may also be stuck with an emergency services bill. Be prepared for anything the season may bring by getting maintenance done in the fall.

Maintain Indoor Air Quality

Scheduling maintenance for your AC unit is important not only to keep the unit running properly but also to make sure nothing unwanted from the outside is making it into your home. No matter what type of unit you have, some outdoor components will be exposed to the elements. 

In Weston, FL, we have pollen, insects, and other unwanted material that can get into your unit and make their way into your house. 

During a maintenance visit, technicians will thoroughly inspect the entire unit to ensure that the air quality in your home is safe. For families that suffer from severe allergies, fall is the perfect time to have the air conditioner cleaned out to remove debris.

Take the Extra Step to Improve Your Home’s Air Quality

In addition to scheduling AC maintenance services, another great investment for your home is installing an air filtration system. If your home is experiencing indoor air pollution, you may not even notice it right away. Usually, the first ones to notice something is wrong are those with allergies or respiratory illness. 

These people are especially sensitive to poor air quality. However, even individuals without these illnesses can be affected by bad air quality.

While your AC unit keeps some of these unwanted particles out, some contaminants still get through. The installation of an air filtration system will stop these contaminants and immediately improve your home’s indoor air quality. Filters can be attached to your system during any service call, and you’ll notice the difference immediately. 

If you want to be fully prepared for the fall, make sure to get AC maintenance on the books!

What an AC Maintenance Visit Should Include

Not all AC tune-ups are the same. A proper tune-up needs to be conducted by a professional and should be thorough enough to ensure nothing is missed. If a technician skips a few steps, they may miss critical issues that can become big issues later.

Do your due diligence and make sure that your inspection includes all of the necessary steps, including:

Close-Up Inspection

A faulty unit may look fine from far away, but a skilled technician will be able to spot issues with a close-up inspection. They should have a checklist to check all of the required components through a visual inspection.

Deep Clean

The technician should do a deep clean of the condenser coils. This cleaning is a critical step that will help reduce wear and tear and keep the overall unit running smoothly. 

Do not attempt to deep clean your air conditioner yourself; this can be dangerous and can damage the unit if not done properly.

Testing Refrigerant Levels

If the refrigerant runs out in your unit, you’ll immediately be stuck with hot air in your home. While some components of AC units can run for a while damaged, refrigerant is a critical component. If the levels are low, your technician will get them up to an appropriate level that will last you all season.  

Ductwork Inspection

Ductwork is an unseen part of the system for central AC units but is one of the most important. A technician should inspect the ductwork to make sure there are no cracks or leaks. Not only can cracks or leaks impact the performance of your AC unit, but severe leaks can actually damage your home. 

Thorough Testing of Your Condenser Motor

The condenser motor is what powers your cooling, which blows the warm air out of your home. If this motor isn’t functioning properly, there is no way to effectively push the hot air out of your house. These motors have lots of different parts, meaning lots of things can go wrong. A thorough test will be able to detect any issues early on.

Maintenance on Electrical Connections and Moving Parts

Your technician should not only test your electrical connections and moving parts but complete general maintenance and any necessary repairs. Faulty wires or loose parts can impact the unit’s performance and cause a safety hazard.

Don’t hesitate if you’ve been thinking about scheduling an AC tune-up in the Weston, FL, area. Abraham AC & Hearing Services is here for all of your AC services needs. Give us a call for fall AC maintenance today!