Air conditioning is a must for countless homes during the blistering summer months in Calgary. However, the operating costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Find how regular 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 enjoy a comfortable home this summer without emptying your wallet.
What Routine AC Service Includes
Air conditioning maintenance is a low-cost, predictable yearly charge that pays you back by decreasing repair costs and lengthening your unit’s life span. Here are some vital maintenance steps that help prevent air conditioner breakdowns:
- Replace the air filter: A dirty filter obstructs 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 yearly maintenance service call, 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 over time, limiting its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant within the coil to freeze, preventing your air conditioner from running properly. Cleaning the coil takes away this insulating layer and helps the refrigerant to do its job.
- Clean the condenser coil: The exterior condenser coil releases 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 function significantly, 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, cutting down on the airflow and reducing performance. Straightening the fins with a fin comb rearranges51 them to their original position to restore proper airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving parts produces heat and causes unnecessary wear and tear. Consistent lubrication reduces friction, ensuring smooth operation and decreasing the need for repairs.
- Examine refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another answer for why your AC can freeze up, producing longer run times, comfort problems and avoidable AC repairs. A technician uses specific tools to investigate and change refrigerant levels as needed to verify 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 costs, but here are some other techniques to help your air conditioner operate faithfully all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Increasing the thermostat setting limits the wear and tear on your AC. Pick a comfortable temperature and avoid lowering the temperature.
- Invest in a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps regulate your home’s temperature in a more efficient manner, reducing the pressure on your AC unit. An effective technique is to set setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save on energy costs and further alleviate wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around the edges of windows and doors permit warm, humid air into your home. Try using caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overloading your air conditioning equipment.
- Install more insulation: A correct attic insulation level promotes reliable indoor temperatures and lessens your AC’s workload. If you can observe the attic floor or joists poking through the current insulation, add more.
- Block solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the workload of your air conditioner. Getting window coverings and pulling the blinds or shades during the hot afternoon blocks solar heat gain and lowers the chance of a mid-season breakdown.
- Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect provided by ceiling fans makes your room feel about 4 degrees cooler, allowing you to raise the thermostat setting without losing 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 easily make your home feel cool but clammy, encouraging you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier takes away unwanted moisture, giving your air conditioner a much-needed break.
- Clear out your vents123: Closed or blocked air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which may 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 unintentionally block airflow. Enhance circulation further by opening the doors between the rooms in your home as much as possible.
- Invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, think about upgrading to a more energy-efficient design. In addition to enhanced efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or have maintenance issues than an older unit, reducing your repair bills in the long run.
Schedule AC Service in Calgary
By investing in routine air conditioning maintenance and adopting other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with decreased repair costs this summer. A1 Chesney Service Experts offers quality air conditioning tune-ups to boost efficiency and prolong your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.