Air conditioning is crucial for countless homes during the blistering summer months in Buffalo. However, the operating costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Know how regular air conditioning service can lower AC repair costs, and adopt energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll be able to appreciate a comfortable home this summer without draining your bank account.
What Routine AC Service Involves
Air conditioning maintenance is an affordable, predictable once-a-year cost that pays you back by decreasing repair costs and extending your unit’s life span. Here are some critical maintenance steps that help avoid air conditioner breakdowns:
- Replace the air filter: A dirty filter obstructs airflow and forces your air conditioner to work harder, burning more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Exchanging your air conditioner's dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your yearly maintenance appointment, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, encourages ideal airflow and efficiency.
- Clean the evaporator coil: The in-house evaporator coil accumulates dirt and dust as time goes by, reducing its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant in the coil to freeze, keeping your air conditioner from operating effectively. Cleaning the coil takes away this insulating layer and will help the refrigerant to do its job.
- Clean the condenser coil: The outdoor condenser coil lets out heat soaked up by the refrigerant. If it’s blocked by cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is diminished. Cleaning the condenser coil improves the unit’s performance greatly, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could result in breakdowns.
- Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, cutting down on the airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner's performance. Correcting the fins with a fin comb puts51 them to their original position to regain correct airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving parts produces heat and causes unnecessary wear and tear. Routine lubrication reduces friction, ensuring smooth operation and cutting down on the need for repairs.
- Monitor refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another explanation for why your AC can freeze up, resulting in longer run times, comfort problems and unnecessary AC repairs. An HVAC specialist uses specific tools to assess and adjust refrigerant levels as needed to assure proper operation and prevent a mid-season breakdown.
Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs
Yearly maintenance is an important factor in lessening AC repair charges, but here are some other tips to help your air conditioner operate faithfully all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Elevating the thermostat setting reduces the wear and tear on your cooling system. Choose a comfortable temperature and avoid lowering the temperature.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps control your home’s temperature more efficiently, reducing the strain on your AC unit. Remember to set setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save on energy costs and further diminish wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around the edges of windows and doors let warm, humid air into your home. Apply caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overloading your air conditioning equipment.
- Put in additional insulation: An appropriate attic insulation level promotes consistent indoor temperatures and will reduce your AC’s workload. If you can observe the attic floor or joists poking through the insulation you already have in your home, add more.
- Block solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the workload of your air conditioner. Installing window coverings and closing the blinds or shades during the hot afternoon blocks solar heat gain and lowers the danger of a mid-season breakdown.
- Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect provided by ceiling fans makes a room feel about 4 degrees cooler, allowing you to raise the thermostat setting without losing comfort. Don’t forget to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
- Use a dehumidifier: For those who reside in a humid part of North America, increased humidity levels can make your home feel cool but clammy, causing you to turn down the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier removes excess moisture, giving your AC a much-needed break.
- Clean your vents123: Closed or blocked air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which can cause your air conditioning to break down. To avoid this, always keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs accidentally hinder airflow. Enhance circulation further by keeping interior doors open as much as possible.
- Install an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your AC unit is more than 10 years old, consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. In addition to increased efficiency, a new system is also less likely to break down or have maintenance issues than an older unit, lowering your repair fees in the long run.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in Buffalo
By investing in scheduled air conditioning maintenance and adopting other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with reduced repair costs this summer. Sunbeam Service Experts offers quality air conditioning tune-ups to maximize efficiency and lengthen your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.