Planning Your Next Air Conditioning Service

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Just as sure as the sun rises and sets, having your air conditioning system serviced by a licensed and trained professional is inevitable – at least if you want it to remain reliable and dependable for the next decade or two. The following goes in-depth about the "whens" and "hows" of planning your next A/C service, as well as what you should expect from your HVAC technician during the service.

Regular Maintenance Is Important

Regularly scheduled maintenance is essential for keeping your A/C system in peak form, especially in hot and humid climates. But how often should you have your A/C serviced? That depends on its age, current operating condition and even the A/C manufacturer's own recommendations.

In most cases, you'll only need to have it inspected and serviced by your HVAC technician on an annual basis. If you rely on a heat pump for both heating and air conditioning or you have an older A/C system, then you may want to have your HVAC system serviced on a biannual basis.

The Best Time to Plan

Late winter to early spring is a good time to schedule an inspection, as most technicians are just gearing up for the summer ahead. Chances are they won't be as busy as they'll be during the peak of the summer cooling season. The earlier you have your A/C serviced, the more time you'll have to address any serious A/C issues your technician finds.

If you rely on twice-yearly inspections, then you'll want to schedule the second inspection sometime during the fall. Chances are you won't rely so much on your A/C system by then, plus you'll have ample opportunity to have your heat pump prepped for heating duty.

What You Should Expect During Your Service

During a typical A/C service, your HVAC technician should conduct a thorough inspection of your A/C unit. That includes looking for any signs of damage or excessive wear throughout the A/C system. Your technician may also make sure the unit's refrigerant levels are correct and that the compressor isn't leaking or overheating.

Your technician should also check the state of the evaporator and condenser coils. These coils can become clogged with dirt, debris and even mildew, blocking the coils from receiving the correct amount of air flow needed to operate efficiently. The coil fins are also quite fragile – if they're bent accidentally, they could also block air flow.

Other items that should be on your HVAC technician's checklist include the air filter, blower fan and motor, condensate drain lines, air ducts, various refrigerant lines and all other moving parts. It's also good idea to have your technician test the thermostat to ensure it's in good working condition.

Your technician may also suggest major upgrades and/or repairs to your A/C system, if necessary. For instance, your technician may recommend you have an ultraviolet (UV) lamp installed to reduce mold growth and ensure clean indoor air.

A Service Agreement May Be A Good Idea

You may have heard of your HVAC maintenance provider offering service agreements. These are essentially long-term contracts between you and the company that handles your HVAC maintenance.  In exchange for signing up, you get to benefit from a number of specialized perks.

For instance, not only are you guaranteed scheduled maintenance at little to no extra cost, but your emergency HVAC calls are given priority over typical customers. Keep in mind that these products usually very among service providers.

Many people find hiring an HVAC technician through a service agreement preferable to finding and booking a scheduled visit on short notice. However, the cost of maintaining a service agreement could be more expensive than paying for one or two separate house calls each year. In the end, it's up to you to decide whether a service agreement would be beneficial for keeping your A/C system in good shape.

If you need more information, you can check it out at websites of local HVAC companies. 

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25 August 2015