Most people don’t think too much about maintaining their air conditioner. The moment their air conditioning unit crosses their minds is the moment it breaks down. This is the exact situation that you want to avoid. You’ll have to deal with the scorching heat until somebody comes in and either repairs or replaces your air conditioner.
You can avoid this frustrating scenario by getting your air conditioner serviced on a regular basis. But just how often should you get a professional to come in and check in on your AC unit? Here’s how you can avoid major AC problems. And for professional aircon service, contact the most reputable AC expert from Acontech.
This is How Often You Should Get Maintenance Work
You can avoid expensive air conditioner repair jobs by getting regular maintenance. It’s recommended that you get a professional to come in at least on an annual basis. This makes a lot of sense considering that most people use their air conditioners mostly during the spring and summer.
With that said, there is one simple thing that you can do to maintain your air conditioner. You can change out the filters on a regular basis. Look at the kind of filter you are using. Some filters can be reused multiple times before you need to replace it. Some will need to be replaced with a new one after a certain period of time.
Try to find the manufacturer’s information about the AC and how to deal with the filters. If it’s a reusable filter, then you should clean it out every two to four weeks. This will ensure that dirt doesn’t get into your air conditioner. It will also help keep the air cleaner and will be helpful against allergies. The AC experts at Ambrose Air suggest scheduling regular maintenance for your air conditioning system.
What Will Your Air Conditioner Technician Work On?
Your service professional will look at certain parts of the air conditioner to ensure that everything is working properly. Here’s a list of parts they’ll look at.
Coils – The coils are responsible for holding the refrigerant that cools the air. When air is blown to the coil, the heat is removed from the air. But when dirt starts to accumulate on the coils, it can overheat and damage them.
Compressors – The compressor moves the refrigerant from the evaporator to the condenser and then back out again as cool air. It helps change the gas into liquid so that it can be cooled and then blown back out as cool air. If the compressor does not work properly, the refrigerant will not be circulated well which will result in warm air.
Fins – The fins on the outside of your air conditioner make the heat dissipate to the outside. While they look like they can stay put, they can bend and break. This can result in the airflow being blocked. As a result, more of the heat will not be able to escape.
Fans – There are two fans in HVAC systems. One fan helps push out hot air outside while the other fan helps push out cool air into your home. Fans can accumulate dirt, wear out, or develop problems due to overheating, so you need to check on them too.
5 Signs Your Air Conditioner is Breaking Down
Of course, it’s best to call for air conditioner repair if your unit is having problems. Here are some subtle signs that it’s time to bring in a professional even if you’ve had maintenance done not too long ago.
1. You Smell Weird Odors Coming In From Your AC
Are you detecting any weird odors? If you’re getting a musty smell then there may be water and mold buildup due to components not functioning properly. If you smell a weird burning smell, then there may be electrical issues inside of your air conditioning unit.
2. The Cold Air is Weaker
It’s not uncommon for an air conditioner to get weaker after some time. It may be time to replace the refrigerant. There may even be a refrigerant leak. Whatever the issue is, you want to get it checked right away.
3. Your Energy Bill Went Up
Make sure you track your utility bill. If you’ve seen a sign that your electricity bill has gone up despite similar usage, then it may be due to your air conditioner. It may be overusing energy due to some kind of problem.
4. You Hear Strange Sounds
If you hear some kind of grinding, squealing, or grating sounds, you want to get it checked out. Even if the sound is subtle, it may be a sign that it’s breaking down.
5. There’s Water Leakage
Water leakage may indicate various problems such as clogged drain lines or a cracked drain pan. This is a simple problem that can be fixed, but if you don’t know how to handle it, bring in a professional.
The bottom line is that you need to get your air conditioner serviced at least once a year. Even if you’re experiencing even minor problems, you should bring somebody to check it out. Repairs can get expensive since issues can progressively get worse over time and continuous usage.