How Does An Air Conditioner Tune-up Save Me Money?
Homeowners depend on their air conditioners when the temperature starts to rise. The cooling system’s job is to keep homes at a lower and more comfortable temperature while removing humidity in the process. With this, it is vital to prevent potentially expensive air conditioner repair costs by keeping your air conditioner in good working condition. The best way to accomplish this is with an air conditioner tune-up.
How An Air Conditioner Tune-up Saves You Money
Here are several ways air conditioner maintenance can save you money:
Lowers Your Power Bills
Half of the energy that a typical American home consumes goes to heating and cooling, per the US Department of Energy (DOE). Cooling and heating costs cannot be totally eliminated, but expenses can be made as manageable as possible.
An air conditioner that is properly maintained means you receive your money’s worth. If the unit has dirty coils, clogged filters, dried-up lubrication, warped evaporator fins, and weak belts, HVAC airflow becomes severely limited. These obstructions can block clean, cool air from properly flowing and ventilating your home. According to the DOE, replacing your air conditioning system’s clogged filter can reduce energy use by as much as 15%.
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Air Conditioner Repair or Replacement Is More Expensive Than Maintenance
Like with vehicles, neglecting even the slightest air conditioner issue usually develops into a more serious problem. An air conditioner receiving annual tune-ups has an expected lifespan of 15 years or more. Seasonal air conditioning maintenance usually costs under $200. This also depends on the unit, such as what parts need to be replaced, how long since the unit’s last maintenance appointment, etc. Whereas installing a new air conditioner can cost $3,000 or more. In addition, air conditioner repair costs can be less than a replacement but still more than a tune-up service. It is obvious which option saves you the most money.
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Neglecting To Get Your Air Conditioner Maintained Can Void Your Warranty
Air conditioner manufacturers can deny your warranty claim because you are not following its terms of scheduling annual tune-ups. This means there is no guarantee that the warranty will cover the air conditioner repair costs if you neglect your unit. Keep the receipts that prove your unit is tuned-up annually to ensure you don’t have to pay thousands of dollars in repair or replacement bills.
Maintain Healthy Air Quality
You should not ignore indoor air quality. When you don’t maintain your system, it results in poor air quality, where some cases require an expensive solution. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) narrates that airborne contaminants may result in mold and mildew growth. They may also trigger some respiratory ailments like asthma.
Apart from health problems, your home may suffer from structural damage. It is also expensive to remove mold, with the average mold clearance costing several thousand dollars. Air conditioner maintenance includes replacing dirty air filters, which is crucial if you want to improve the air quality in your living environment. After a system evaluation, the technician may also recommend other ways to achieve better indoor air quality, such as installing an air cleaner, a ventilator, or a whole-home dehumidifier.
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Cooling Energy-Saving Tips
Technicians may observe your unit during annual maintenance and recommend minor money-saving measures. Examples of such improvements include sealing or cleaning the ducts and using air filters that best fit your system. It is always wise to have a healthy relationship with your HVAC company because this can help reduce your energy bills yearly.
Common Air Conditioning Problems That Regular Air Conditioner Maintenance Addresses
The US Department of Energy states that dirt and neglect are the primary causes of air conditioner inefficiency and failure. Listed below are the usual problems in your air conditioner that can be resolved by regular maintenance.
- Refrigerant Leak Or Improper Refrigerant Charge: An air conditioner that is undercharged by 20% can cause your cooling bills to double.
- Electric Control Failure: You can prevent electric control failure by keeping the compressor and fan controls in excellent condition. Factors that increase the risk of electrical failure include loose electrical wires, corroded connections and terminals, and dirty contacts.
- Dirty HVAC Filter: A dirty filter keeps air from flowing properly. It also causes your system to overwork to ensure that your home or business remains cool. Dirt can also build up on other components, causing lower efficiency and increased chances of premature failure.
- Clogged Condensation Drain: Your air conditioner extracts indoor humidity, removing the resulting moisture via a drain linked to your system. A clogged condensation drain means water can leak and damage your walls and floors. The blockage in your drain can also cause the system to shut down.
- Dirty Coils: Your air conditioner will experience reduced cooling power if there is grime and dust build-up on the coils. It also pushes your unit to overwork to maintain the cool temperature in your indoor space. This hastens wear and tear and increases your energy bills.
Conclusion
Air conditioner maintenance is an excellent investment with great returns. Book a maintenance schedule today. This way, your system has improved cooling performance and a longer lifespan. This will also save you money in the long run.
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Call Van Varick & Sons For All Your HVAC Requirements
Van Varick & Sons provides top-quality heating and cooling services in Northern New Jersey. Our professionally certified technicians are confident in providing you with exceptional HVAC services when you need them. Our techs will use their knowledge and experience to conduct accurate HVAC tune-ups, repairs, installations, and more.
Rest assured, we offer the region’s most competitive HVAC service rates. Our maintenance services can help achieve improvements in your home’s comfort and energy efficiency while lowering your cooling bills. If you need to get your HVAC system repaired or replaced, we can recommend the most suitable solution for your home while staying within your budget. All our work comes with a guarantee to ensure your satisfaction. Book a service appointment and call Van Varick & Sons today to receive a free, in-home estimate.
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