ARTICLES

SIGNS YOU NEED A POST SUMMER AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE

OCT 23, 2016

Whew. The summer season is finally over! But, could the life of your air conditioning unit be over as well? It’s hard to think about replacing or repairing your AC unit with the smell of pumpkin pies in the air, yet you may want to take a few minutes to check your AC… after all, you don’t want May to come around again only to find yourself scrambling for emergency air conditioning service. Also, it’s important to note that even though your A/C might not be needed to cool your home, it is still responsible for running your heat pump.

WARNING SIGNS THAT YOU NEED AIR CONDITIONING SERVICE ASAP

  1. Your AC is more that 10 years old.

Older AC units have a lifespan of about 10 years. Units that make it past this are a blessing to the homeowner’s wallet but are at risk of quitting without warning. A good air conditioning service technician can tell you approximately how much life your unit has left. The good news is that when you need a replacement, newer units have a lifespan of 15-20 years.

  1. Your AC isn’t as cool as it was.

Classic cars and leather jackets never go out of style. Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for AC units. They reach a point where they just aren’t cool anymore. Despite committed homeowner maintenance and regular air conditioning service, parts wear out and the metal deteriorates leaving you without the frigidaire that you’re paying for.

  1. Tune-ups Identify Issues.

Are you constantly coming across repairs that need to be made when you have an HVAC tune-up? Assuming that you are working with a technician that you trust, an AC unit that constantly needs maintenance is one that is circling the drain.

TIPS FOR HOMEOWNER MAINTENANCE

There is no better time to check the condition of your AC unit than during the winter months. For starters, you don’t have to sweat off 30 pounds in 5 minutes and you have the time to schedule a replacement rather than rushing one while your family starts to resemble shriveled banana skins. For the DIYers out there, you can even do a mild tune-up on your unit to prolong the time between professional maintenance.

  1. Check and change or clean the air filter.

Dirty AC filters block air flow, which leads to inefficient cooling as well as a buildup of dirt on the evaporator coil, causing it to malfunction. It is imperative to change the filter once a month or every three months as recommended for your particular system. Those with allergies may want to change or clean them more often.

  1. Open the supply vents.

The blower in your AC is designed to push air up to a maximum pressure. Closing some of your vents could increase the pressure in your duct system, causing the blower to run at a reduced speed. As a result, the evaporator coil could freeze leading to inefficient cooling, not to mention a reduction in the amount of air releasing from the supply vents. Less air = more discomfort for you and your wallet.

  1.  Clean your outside air conditioning unit.

Clean your outside unit. In areas like Arizona where dust covers everything could spell trouble for your HVAC. An outside unit that is covered in dust, dirt and grass clippings, will struggle to release heat from the refrigerant which causes your A/C unit to work harder to cool/heat your home. Turn the power off to your unit and use a hose to spray off debris. You can even try AC coil cleaners to get rid of tough grime. For best results, do this once a year.

UNBEATABLE AC SERVICE

For a more thorough check on your AC unit, call a trusted technician like our guys at Donley Service Center. With 40 years in the business, we know what it takes to make Arizona AC units last. We give careful examination to each unit we treat, knowing that our customers want to avoid buying a new unit if they can help it. A yearly maintenance tune-up will likely extend the life of your HVAC and keep you cool all summer. Don’t wait for double digits to kick back up, call Donley Service Center today for professional air condition service.