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Summer is the time of year when air conditioning units are working their hardest. Saint Peters, MO, homeowners will inevitably see increased costs on their energy bills. However, getting a professional AC tune-up can help offset these energy bills and save you money in other ways.
AC Tune-Up Explained
During a tune-up, an HVAC technician will do several things to help optimize your air conditioner’s performance. They will inspect equipment for damage, including the main unit, ductwork, thermostat, and more. They will clean evaporator coils, condenser coils, and clean or replace air filters. A technician will check refrigerant levels and top them off if needed. They will also inspect electrical connections and secure them if necessary. Moving parts will receive lubrication to reduce wear and tear from friction. They will also check and clean the condensate drain to ensure it is free of clogs. They’ll also test your system to make sure it is running optimally after the tune-up.
Warning Against DIY Maintenance
There are certain things you can do yourself to improve the performance of your AC, like cleaning or changing your air filters. However, you shouldn’t be performing a full tune-up yourself. This process is beneficial when a skilled and experienced HVAC technician is taking care of everything. If you attempt to perform an air conditioner tune-up on your own, you risk:
- Failing to improve performance
- Causing major AC problems
- Damaging your HVAC system
- Drastically increasing repair costs
Better Cooling Capability
One of the first things you may notice after a tune-up is your AC system’s improved ability to cool your home. After turning your system on, you may notice cooler air coming out of the vents and have an easier time getting your home to a cooler temperature. Without a tune-up, those scorching summer months can keep your AC working hard while failing to cool your home efficiently to your desired temperature.
Energy Bill Savings
One of the most cost-effective benefits of getting tune-ups on your air conditioner is that the increased efficiency of your system means you’re using less electricity to keep your home cool. This can drastically decrease the amount of your energy bill. The savings are most noticeable in the hot summer months when a tune-up can help keep energy spikes more manageable.
Costly Repair Prevention
Without a tune-up, your AC system will work harder over time. This puts more stress on interior components. Eventually, this can lead to broken components or other issues that require repairs. By getting a tune-up and ongoing maintenance, you reduce the frequency of necessary repairs, and problems are more likely to be minor when they do occur.
AC Lifespan Extension
A tune-up doesn’t just help minimize repair costs; it can also increase the overall lifespan of your air conditioning system. Completely replacing an AC system is costly. The longer you can put replacement off by keeping your current system performing well with tune-ups, the more cost-effective the situation is.
Environmental Impact
If your AC doesn’t receive periodic maintenance, the increased energy consumption increases your carbon footprint. Regular tune-ups are essential for a homeowner who cares about ensuring their home is environmentally friendly.
Improved Airflow and Circulation
A tune-up for your air conditioning system can increase airflow. By increasing the airflow, conditioned air circulates in your home much easier. This increased circulation reduces unwanted warm spots in your home caused by airflow obstructions. It’s common for homeowners to turn their AC up higher than necessary to combat these warm spots without realizing their airflow is experiencing restriction.
Early Detection
An HVAC technician will be able to find early signs of potential problems before they occur. If you don’t schedule regular maintenance on your system, you may not know a minor issue is present until the problem becomes severe. This early detection during inspection is necessary to avoid unwanted surprises.
Indoor Air Quality Improvement
A tune-up of your air conditioning system can greatly increase the quality of your indoor air. Cleaning or changing filters is essential to removing pollen, dust, pet dander, mold spores, pollution, and other irritating particulates. Additionally, these contaminants can build up over time inside your ductwork, making the existing filters and your system less effective. Improving indoor air quality with an AC tune-up is crucial for people who have respiratory issues like asthma or chronic allergies.
Increased Reliability
One of the worst things that can happen when your AC is working hard to keep your home comfortable during scorching summer days is a complete system breakdown. Getting a tune-up on your AC improves the reliability of your system. Improving efficiency can drastically decrease how hard your system must work, minimizing the chances of your AC breaking down. When summer is in full swing, HVAC companies become very busy. A breakdown of your equipment could result in a very costly service appointment. You may even have to wait a few days for a repair. This can be avoided with routine maintenance in the early spring.
Maintain Warranty
An often-overlooked way that a tune-up can save you money is that it maintains the terms and conditions of your existing warranty. AC warranties usually require ongoing maintenance of your system to keep the warranty valid. Without scheduling regular tune-ups, you risk a future warranty claim being denied.
Reduce Humidity
An AC tune-up can help regulate humidity levels in your home. If the humidity is too high, the temperature inside your home can feel significantly hotter than it is. By reducing the humidity with a well-maintained AC system, you also remove the need to crank your AC higher.
Home Value Preservation
Keeping your AC system well-maintained with regular tune-ups helps preserve the value of your home. When planning to sell your home, buyers are likely to make lower offers if they expect they’ll need to repair or replace a poorly working air conditioner after closing. Home value preservation is also essential if you plan to refinance your mortgage.
Additional Considerations
A tune-up can help improve the efficiency of your system. However, efficient operation is going to go to waste if your home is leaking cool air. Having an air leak that goes unnoticed can be like leaving a window in your home cracked open while the AC is running. To improve AC efficiency, you need to seal any potential air leaks inside your ductwork. You also need to ensure that your home and ductwork experience adequate insulation.
If you have an old AC system, it can be expensive to constantly get it repaired. Even after repair, it likely won’t run as efficiently as it did when it was new. Sometimes, it’s more cost-effective to upgrade your system. Consult an HVAC company if you suspect this is the case.
Do you live in Saint Peters or the surrounding area and need a tune-up on your air conditioner? Agers Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to optimize the performance of your system. We offer maintenance, repair, and replacement services for all types of AC systems, including ductless mini-splits. We also work with various heating systems and air filtration systems. On qualified approval, financing options are available. If you’d like more information about an AC tune-up or our other services, contact Agers Heating & Air Conditioning today!
