When the weather starts heating up again in Florida, one thing you don’t want to forget about is your HVAC system. Many homeowners question whether they need professional maintenance service in the spring or can do without it. In reality, getting professional maintenance services is an absolute must for many great reasons.
Cleaning Coils
Whether you have a central air conditioner or a heat pump, an essential part of professional AC tune-ups is cleaning your system’s evaporator and condenser coils. These coils are responsible for transferring heat. If the coils are overly dirty, this grime can prevent heat from moving in or out of the refrigerant and cause system inefficiency issues.
For instance, if the evaporator coil in your system is covered in dirt, your system will struggle to absorb heat from inside your home. The refrigerant inside the coil will get colder and colder and eventually cause your heat pump or air conditioner to freeze up. Conversely, dirty coils in the outdoor unit can cause your cooling system to struggle when expelling heat, leading to higher energy use and potential compressor stress.
One of our professionals will use a combination of non-acidic cleaners, soft brushes, and compressed air to remove grime from the surface of your coils.
Recharging Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant should be thought of as the lifeblood of your air conditioning system. Without this coolant, it cannot remove heat from inside your home. In order for your system to work properly, it needs to have an adequate amount of refrigerant. Over time, it can seep out of loose connections in the lines and any pinhole leaks that develop. One of our technicians will properly recharge your system’s refrigerant level to ensure that it’s up to where it needs to be.
Inspecting for Worn-Out Components
Another significant part of professional maintenance service is checking all of the internal components of your system to determine if there are any worn-out or malfunctioning parts. For example, a part that commonly wears out is the blower fan belt. As this belt ages, it will start to fray apart and eventually come off of the pulley. Having a professional replace worn-out components during maintenance service can greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a breakdown during the hot summer season.
Calibrating Your Thermostat
One other key feature of professional maintenance service is calibrating your thermostat. We include thermostat checks during our tune-up visits because it’s vital that it works correctly to send accurate instructions to your cooling system. If it is malfunctioning, it could spell disaster for your energy bills and your comfort level.
For example, if your thermostat is reading a higher temperature than the room actually is, it will instruct your system to constantly run to try to cool the room down, even when it is not necessary. This situation can lead to a massive spike in your energy bills and unnecessary wear on your system.
Replacing HVAC Air Filters
Apart from professional maintenance service, it’s important that you do some homeowner maintenance to keep your system in good working condition throughout the summer season. One of the most important things to do is replace your system’s air filter. It is a good idea to start the spring season with a fresh one. After that, experts recommend you change it out at least every three months.
However, you may need to replace yours more often based on factors like whether you have pets or if your system runs a lot during a heatwave. Many homeowners keep an extra on hand and inspect their filters once a month to ensure they know when it is time to replace them. Clean filters ensure your system does not develop airflow issues and can improve indoor air quality.
Checking Air Vents
Another task you want to ensure that you do at the beginning of the spring season is to check all the return and supply vents in your home. Make sure that every vent is completely open and that there are no obstructions blocking the flow of air. It’s a good rule of thumb to give about three feet of open space around each vent for optimal efficiency.
Additionally, you may want to consider investing in professional duct cleaning, which involves a technician thoroughly cleaning the interior of your ductwork. This is a great way to help increase airflow throughout your ducting as well as the quality of air inside your home. During this service, they will let you know if you would benefit from duct sealing. This process can reduce your cooling costs by preventing conditioned air from escaping into uninsulated areas of your home, like crawlspaces and attics.
Warranty Coverage
One of the most important reasons to invest in professional maintenance service during the springtime is to maintain the warranty coverage on your cooling system. It’s very common for AC system manufacturers to require system owners to get maintenance service at least once a year. On the other hand, most heat pump manufacturers require biannual tune-ups because they operate year-round. If you skip out on this maintenance service, you not only risk running an inefficient AC system, but you also void your warranty coverage. This may leave you paying out of pocket for repair bills in the future.
Efficient System Operation
Apart from maintaining the warranty coverage on your cooling system, regular maintenance service ensures that it is operating efficiently. No homeowner wants to spend an arm and a leg on cooling bills throughout the summer. When you have that professional maintenance service done, you can gain the peace of mind that you’re not wasting your hard-earned money on staying comfortable.
Longer System Lifespan
Another reason to invest in springtime HVAC maintenance is to extend the overall longevity of your air conditioning system. There’s no doubt that purchasing a new heat pump or central air conditioner for your home can be extremely expensive. Taking care of the one that you have is a great way to help ensure it does not fail prematurely and get more bang for your buck.
Understand Remaining Lifespan
One lesser-thought-about reason to get professional maintenance service for your HVAC system is it helps you learn how much longer your system is likely to last before it needs to be replaced. While the information may not be what you want to hear, it allows you adequate time to prepare for the cost of a new replacement. It also lets you schedule the upgrade at the most convenient time for you and your family.
Prevent Costly Repairs
The final reason to get regular maintenance is that it helps greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a costly breakdown. During maintenance service, small problems can be caught before they turn into much bigger issues.
Exceptional Maintenance Service
Carnley Services offers exceptional maintenance service to Pensacola, FL residents. We can also help with all your cooling system installation, replacement, and repair needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced technicians.
