Professional AC Tune-Up Services
You’re right to be concerned if your air conditioner is making strange sounds or failing to cool your home adequately. Before assuming the unit needs to be replaced, try calling in a professional to look at it. Sometimes, all it takes is a little maintenance to have it running like new again. A trained professional knows what to check when diagnosing any problem with your air conditioner.
You can usually expect about 10 years of life from your air conditioner before it will need to be replaced, and it is wise to have your unit serviced at least once each year to keep it running well for as long as possible. Of course, if your unit has not reached the 10-year mark, have a professional take a look at it before you spend the money to replace it.
Why is an AC tune-up necessary?
The HVAC system coupled with the air conditioning unit has many parts that can wear out over time. When it comes to these devices, procrastination is never the solution. The solution is to take action immediately. This way you will prevent days and weeks without a working and stable air conditioner. All that is required is for a service expert to do what is called an AC tune-up, once a year.
During the inspection they will:
- recalibrate the thermostat if needed
- Inspect or replace the air filter
- check the refrigerant levels
- remedy any safety hazards
- clear the space in and around the unit from dirt and debris
- Inspect coils and coil fins
- Search for any leaks or cracks
The points of the tune-up will help to increase the life of your AC unit as well as the time between issues. Just like your vehicle, your AC unit requires regular maintenance in order to work effectively. If you don’t get your device checked regularly, you could receive higher energy bills, notice different temperature levels at certain parts of the house and several more problems could occur.
People don’t usually notice an issue until they turn on their device for the first time in the season because air conditioners are mostly used only for a couple of months of the year. Common sense dictates that air conditioners should be inspected well before temperatures start to climb, preferably in the spring. Moving on without air conditioning when you need it the most is terrible at best and dreadful at worst—especially for the more susceptible population.
Do I need a tune-up or a total replacement?
If you are not familiar with your AC unit then you may not be able to determine if it just needs to be maintained or it has already reached its end. If you don’t know whether or not the unit has reached its end, a professional can perform an inspection to help make that determination. See the following list to help you decide if a total replacement is in order or you may just need a tune-up.
The thermostat isn’t working
The reason your AC system isn’t functioning well can be a problem with the thermostat rather than with the equipment itself. An AC professional will inspect the wiring and recalibrate the thermostat to get the air conditioner up and running again.
Inconsistent temperatures throughout the home
The technician will perform a thorough inspection to find out why the room-to-room temperatures in your home are inconsistent. Upper levels will consistently have a hotter temperature compared to lower levels because of rising heat. But if there is such a big difference then this may mean that there is a problem with the air filters, vents or ductwork.
Bad smells or noises
Never ignore strange sounds emanating from your air conditioning unit. It may have a part that has become loose or broken and thus needs to be repaired immediately. Sometimes, it makes better financial sense to replace an air conditioner rather than repair it. There can be bad smells that come from burnt wires or mold in the ductwork.
When your AC unit is inspected, then the root cause of the problem will be determined. Sometimes all that’s needed with these issues is a repair.
Leaks
If your air conditioner is leaking, this is usually a sign of a serious problem. Leaks may be water coming from the condenser, or refrigerant from the lines, and either way, it usually involves a costly repair. Either way, if your unit is nearing the end of its life, replacing rather than repairing may be more cost-effective.
High energy bills.
If your AC is working too hard to maintain desired temperatures in your home, you may be tipped off to that by a higher than usual monthly energy bill. If your unit is still fairly young but has not had any maintenance in a while, it may be time for a service call.
If the unit is on the older side or if it just was serviced, then this could mean it is just old and needs to be replaced. When it is inspected by a professional then this will help in determining if it needs a replacement already. If the result of the inspection shows that it needs replacing, then the AC professional can give you a rundown of your options for its replacement.