Air conditioners are a giant a part of our house’s consolation all through the summer time – and generally all year long. Air con upkeep is without doubt one of the most essential elements of preserving your system operating because it ought to, however it may be troublesome to separate the actual fact from the parable relating to air-con servicing.
After a long time within the enterprise, our group at Service Champions is aware of that it may be straightforward to let air conditioner upkeep go till it’s too late – particularly when you’re undecided what that you must maintain your system operating effectively. We’re right here to bust the widespread myths and misconceptions about air-con service so you may put together your AC for a protracted summer time.
Fable 1: Air Conditioning Consumes a Lot of Power
One of many greatest myths is that air conditioners devour a whole lot of power and price you in power payments. Whereas an inefficient AC can drive up your power prices, a correctly serviced AC can maintain you cool and cozy with out breaking the financial institution.
Listed here are some tricks to preserve power along with your AC:
- Improve your AC: In case your system is older, it is probably not as environment friendly because it could possibly be. Newer techniques are designed to be extra power environment friendly than earlier techniques, requiring much less power with out compromising cooling.
- Set up a wise thermostat: In case you’re operating your AC all day and night time, you’re losing a whole lot of power and including pointless put on and tear to your system. Good thermostats can go a good distance towards stopping extra power use by optimizing your AC’s schedule. For instance, you may program your thermostat to show off your AC if you’re away at work and begin cooling simply earlier than you arrive at house.
- Insulation: In case your insulation is worn or broken, you may lose a whole lot of cooled air. Your private home received’t be as snug, your power payments will rise, and your AC may have extra put on and tear because it struggles to chill your own home. In case you’re struggling along with your AC’s effectivity or repairs, repair your insulation earlier than you make any choices about upgrading.
Fable 2: Your Filter Solely Must Be Modified As soon as a 12 months
Air filters aren’t common throughout AC techniques. The lifespan of your filter is dependent upon a number of elements, together with the thickness and effectivity of the filter, how usually you employ your HVAC system, the air high quality in your house, and extra.
Your particular person wants additionally issue into how usually your filter needs to be modified. For instance, folks with allergy symptoms or pets and people who smoke ought to change their filters extra usually.
Whereas some filters could should be modified roughly continuously, no filter ought to go a complete yr with out a change. Over time, air filters turn out to be soiled and clogged from the mud, filth, and pet dander they acquire and stop from coming into your system. When this occurs, your system has to work a lot tougher than it ought to to chill your own home.
Make checking the air filter a minimum of as soon as a month a part of your family routine. If it’s soiled, clear or substitute it – relying on the kind of air filter you have got. This can be a easy upkeep step that may make an enormous distinction in your house’s air high quality and your system’s effectivity.
Fable 3: Get a Greater AC for Higher Cooling
That is an everlasting fable that leads to a whole lot of excessive power payments, upfront bills, and poor cooling for owners. Some issues are higher in the event that they’re larger, however that doesn’t apply to AC techniques. Your private home’s AC ought to at all times be proportionate to your own home for optimum cooling – not smaller or larger.
In case your AC system is simply too massive for the house, it’ll cycle on and off to keep away from overcooling your own home. Extra power will likely be used due to the fixed beginning and stopping, but your own home is probably not as cool because it could possibly be. As well as, ACs which might be too massive usually depart your own home humid.
Conversely, an AC that’s too small will battle to chill your house. You could have to maintain the thermostat on the lowest setting, even when the temperature exterior is snug chilly, to satisfy your cooling calls for. You’ll even have a lot increased power payments and extra frequent repairs as a result of your system is taxed.
Fable 4: Your AC Ought to Be Set to the Lowest Temperature
An AC unit works by turning on or off as wanted to achieve the temperature you set on the thermostat. Many individuals mistakenly consider that setting the thermostat to the bottom attainable setting will present the perfect cooling however preserving the temperature extraordinarily low – particularly on extraordinarily sizzling days – will trigger your AC to run for for much longer than essential.
Ideally, your thermostat temperature needs to be no decrease than 20 levels Fahrenheit beneath the ambient room temperature. AC models usually are not designed to maintain your own home chilly, however they will create a snug temperature and humidity drop that retains you snug.
Fable 5: Shut Off Rooms to Cut back Power Utilization
Some folks advocate closing off vacant rooms to maintain your residing areas cooler. Whereas that could be efficient when you have window or moveable AC models, it’s not a superb observe when you have an AC system that’s designed to chill your entire house.
When you have got a whole-home AC system, blockading vacant rooms may cause issues to your unit. Your system may fit tougher to take care of the temperature you set, resulting in stress and potential breakdowns.
Fable 6: AC Models Ought to Be Changed Each 10 Years
AC techniques have a lifespan of 10 to fifteen years with correct care, however they will fluctuate by many elements. How effectively you keep your unit, the standard of the unit itself, the native local weather and temperature averages, and different elements can decide how lengthy your AC will final.
Some models could should be changed after 10 years, whereas others could final 20. Others could have essential issues that pressure you to switch them earlier than you even attain 10 years. One of the simplest ways to make sure you have a long-lasting system is with common AC upkeep and immediate repairs from a certified HVAC technician.
Fable 7: DIY Repairs Are the Finest Alternative
There are some AC upkeep duties that you are able to do your self, resembling altering the air filter, however it’s best to depart repairs to the professionals. AC techniques have complicated parts, together with electrical parts, that require information, coaching, and specialised tools to restore. Making an attempt these repairs by yourself or counting on a “helpful” good friend or member of the family can do extra hurt than good. The truth is, it’s possible you’ll find yourself spending extra in the long term.
Listed here are some risks of DIY AC repairs:
- Security dangers: DIY AC repairs may be harmful. Skilled AC technicians have in depth coaching, expertise, and supervision to keep away from lots of the potential dangers of HVAC techniques. In case you try to repair your air conditioner by yourself, you can be vulnerable to harm, carbon monoxide leaks, electrical fires, broken gasoline strains, and extra.
- AC injury: A DIY repair could also be tempting in case your AC breaks down in the midst of the summer time warmth and also you simply need to get it operating once more, however that might create larger and extra hectic issues sooner or later. Worse but, you can find yourself with a full system failure and a necessity to switch your AC in a rush through the busy season.
- Voiding the guarantee: Warranties are nice for peace of thoughts with an costly system like an AC, however there are necessities it’s important to comply with. Most producers have a stipulation for the guarantee that claims solely licensed professionals ought to set up, keep, and restore their ACs. In case you attempt to do the work your self, it’s possible you’ll void the guarantee – leaving you footing the invoice for the restore or alternative that might’ve in any other case been coated.
Fable 8: AC Upkeep Is an Pointless Expense
Many owners view AC upkeep as an added expense that gives little worth. The reality is definitely the alternative – the small expense of routine upkeep can repay in stopping costly repairs sooner or later, extends the lifetime of your system, and saves on power payments.
Listed here are some advantages of routine AC upkeep:
- Fewer repairs: Common upkeep can scale back the necessity for costly repairs. You’ll have an expert AC technician inspecting your system for minor issues earlier than they turn out to be main repairs. They’ll additionally substitute any worn-out parts and substitute them earlier than a breakdown occurs.
- Longer lifespan: In case you neglect your system, you may find yourself with mud and filth gathered contained in the system that may injury parts and result in untimely breakdown. Routine upkeep retains your system clear, lubricated, and in good situation, considerably extending its lifespan.
- Improved power effectivity: With out AC servicing, your system should work a lot tougher to take care of a snug indoor temperature, rising power consumption and month-to-month power payments. Routine AC upkeep will maintain your AC unit functioning effectively to scale back power prices.
- Enhanced security: AC techniques are typically secure, however there’s a threat of fireplace or different hazards. This threat may be elevated when you don’t have common upkeep. Routine upkeep consists of an inspection of your system and its parts, together with caring for water injury, changing defective electrical connections, and checking for carbon monoxide leaks.
Schedule AC Upkeep from Service Champions
Don’t fall for these widespread AC myths. Take recommendation from the professionals and maintain your system operating its finest with AC upkeep from Service Champions. Contact us immediately to schedule your appointment!
