How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs

Air conditioning is important for lots of homes during the hot summer months in Winnipeg. However, the operating costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Learn how routine air conditioning service can decrease AC repair costs, and learn energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll have a comfortable home this summer without emptying your wallet.

What Routine AC Service Entails

Air conditioning maintenance is an affordable, predictable once-a-year charge that pays you back by shrinking repair costs and increasing your unit’s life span. Here are some critical maintenance steps that help protect against air conditioner breakdowns:

• Replace the air filter: A dirty filter slows down airflow and forces your air conditioner to work harder, using more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Exchanging your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your annual maintenance appointment, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, encourages excellent airflow and efficiency.
• Clean the evaporator coil: The in-house evaporator coil collects dirt and dust with time, lowering its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant in the coil to freeze, preventing your air conditioner from operating correctly. Cleaning the coil takes away this insulating layer and helps the refrigerant to do its job.
• Clean the condenser coil: The outside condenser coil emits heat soaked up by the refrigerant. If it’s covered with cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is reduced. Cleaning the condenser coil improves the unit’s performance substantially, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could bring on breakdowns.
• Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, reducing airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner’s performance.  Correcting the fins with a fin comb returns them to their original position to restore correct airflow.
• Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving components creates heat and causes undue wear and tear.  Regular lubrication minimizes friction, ensuring smooth operation and lowering the need for repairs.
• Examine refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another explanation for why your AC can freeze up, producing longer run times, comfort problems and avoidable AC repairs. A skilled Expert uses specialized tools to investigate and adjust refrigerant levels as needed to verify proper function and prevent a mid-season breakdown.

Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs

Once-a-year maintenance is a crucial factor in getting rid of avoidable AC repair charges, but here are some other recommendations 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 changing it to a lower temperature.
• Invest in a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps control your home’s temperature in a more efficient manner, reducing the stress on your AC unit. It’s a good idea to program setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save yourself on energy costs and further alleviate wear and tear.
• Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around windows and doors permit warm, humid air inside. Use caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overloading your air conditioning equipment.
• Add insulation: an appropriate attic insulation level encourages stable indoor temperatures and reduces 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.
• Prevent solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the demand on your AC system. Getting window coverings and pulling the blinds or shades during the hot afternoon blocks solar heat gain and lowers the risk of a mid-season breakdown.
• Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect produced by ceiling fans makes your room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which allows you to raise the thermostat setting without surrendering comfort. Remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
• Use a dehumidifier: For those who live in a humid part of the country, high humidity levels can make your home feel cool but clammy, encouraging you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier removes excessive moisture, giving your air conditioning a much-needed break.
• Clean your vents: Closed or sealed off air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which might cause your air conditioner to break down. To avoid this, always keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs inadvertently hinder airflow. Boost circulation further by opening the doors between the rooms in your home as much as possible.
• Install an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, start thinking about upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. In addition to increased efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or have maintenance issues than an older unit, bringing down your repair fees in the long run.

Schedule HVAC Service in Winnipeg

By investing in scheduled air conditioning maintenance and adopting other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with decreased repair costs this summer. Winnipeg Supply Service Experts offers skilled AC tune-ups to optimize efficiency and extend your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.