Tips for Preparing Your AC Unit for Fall
Now that summer is officially over, there’s no better time to begin preparing your home for the fall and winter months. In addition to cleaning your gutters and patching up any air leaks, you’ll want to get your AC unit ready for the next season before it gets chillier outside. Here are some steps you can take to maintain your unit’s condition as the temperature begins to change.
How Often Do You Need to Get Your AC Serviced?
We rely on our air conditioner much more than we think. Living in a cool home environment is the norm these days, and you may not think to do regular maintenance on it. But, air conditioners are sophisticated machines that require regular maintenance to provide optimum performance. When we neglect to give it the service it needs, an AC unit won’t work efficiently, and may even be prone to failing altogether. We explain why ACs need regular tuning and how often you should do it.
Preventing Breakdowns
It’s one of the worst feelings in the world. You’re deep in the middle of a heatwave when the air conditioner goes out. No matter how quickly you can get it resolved, you’re still looking at a lot of time sweating it out. The good news is this can be easily avoided by having a professional service your HVAC regularly. During maintenance, a technician can catch problems like refrigerant leaks, broken censors, rusted coils, and thermostat issues before a breakdown takes place. Additionally, you’ll notice your AC will work better with regular service, making for a cooler, more comfortable home environment.
A Longer Life for Your AC
An air conditioner isn’t merely a functional part of protecting your home; it’s an investment. As with any investment, you want to get the most out of it as you possibly can. Scheduling annual service is probably the most important thing you can do to make sure your AC will function properly for years to come. A regularly maintained AC unit should last between 10 and 15 years. That number drops precipitously to 5 to 10 years without regular maintenance.
Lower Energy Bills
As you undoubtedly know, your energy consumption can increase during the summer. However, you can dramatically reduce it by merely having your AC unit serviced on an annual basis. A technician can clean and replace parts such as coils, filters, and evaporators that can become dirty and clogged over time. Debris clogging your system results in higher energy amounts that can be avoided with regular service.
Furthermore, yearly visits by a technician can help keep you aware of the things you can do on your own to save money. Turning up the thermostat by a couple of degrees or keeping ceiling fans running in busy rooms can save you a bundle on your energy bills while getting more life out of your air conditioner.
When you schedule an appointment once per year with an HVAC technician, you will save money on costly repairs and wasted energy, while making your home a better place to live. It’s one of the simplest and most effective things you can do to improve your family’s quality of life. To schedule your next service, call Cox Heating & Air Conditioning at (727) 442-6158. We’re the leading HVAC contractor in Clearwater, FL, and we’ll make every effort to make sure you stay cool all year. So, beat the heat and give us a call today!
Common Causes Behind AC Failures
Many people don’t give their air conditioners much thought until something goes wrong, which is why it’s quite shocking to so many when they need service. After all, shouldn’t your air conditioner last forever? As wonderful as that would be, it’s simply not the case. Air conditioners experience mechanical problems from time to time and need repairs. It’s something that people need to prepare for, so they’re not taken by surprise by a costly repair. Keep reading to learn more about the common causes of AC failure.
Tripped Fuses and Faulty Breakers
If your air conditioner stops working suddenly, don’t panic. Check your circuit breaker to see if the fuse was tripped. Sometimes this happens if there is a power surge. If the circuit has been tripped off, turn it back on. Did the air conditioner start up again? If not, call a technician to come take a look.
Frozen Coil Problems
When there are air flow problems, the coil in the unit tends to freeze. This problem is easy to identify because frost will be visible on the coil or around it. The easiest way to avoid this problem is to make sure your air filters get replaced regularly and that the ductwork is clean.
Refrigerant Issues
Have you had trouble getting cool air to flow from your vents? This is likely a refrigerant issue. There’s probably a leak in the system that may or may not be visible. Or, the refrigerant is low and needs refilling. Both of these situations require a professional HVAC technician.
Worn Parts
Older air conditioners, those that are five years or older, tend to cycle on and off more frequently. When this occurs, the unit is at risk of becoming overly stressed and parts start to break. Common parts that need replacement includes fans, blowers, contacts, and electrical connections. Homeowners can catch these types of problems early by having annual maintenance service performed on their HVAC unit. Replacing damaged parts before they break down entirely helps you avoid emergency repair services.
Faulty Thermostats
This is one of the easiest and most inexpensive air conditioning repairs. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked by people who think the worst when their air conditioner isn’t working right. However, if your thermostat is broken or not wired correctly, it can’t maintain the temperature in your home. Depending on the signs you describe to your technician, the thermostat may or may not be the first thing they check.
Don’t Neglect Annual Maintenance
Many serious HVAC problems are avoidable with regular maintenance. Some of these maintenance tasks you can do yourself, such as replacing the air filters regularly and cleaning the outdoor condenser unit. Other maintenance services, such as checking for loose parts, refilling the refrigerant, and replacing broken components, need to be done by professionals. If you suspect there’s a problem with your air conditioner, don’t wait to get a service professional out to your home to take a look.
If you’re having problems with your home’s air conditioner and need professional HVAC service, call Cox Air at 727-442-6158 today!
Tips for Homeowners to Improve Indoor Air Quality
How is your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ)? Could it be better? If you’ve noticed allergy symptoms worsening or you find you’re sneezing more than normal, you probably have dirty air. Most people don’t realize how dirty their home’s air is and they might be better off breathing the air outside of their home. The good news is that it’s easy to improve the IAQ in your home. Check out these tips from Cox Air for breathing easier in your home.
The Checklist for Spring AC Maintenance
It’s recommended that you check on your HVAC system every spring and fall. This allows you to know before summer and winter whether or not your AC and heating are in excellent shape. Work through a spring checklist for your AC before summer arrives.
A Guide to AC Compressor Problems
Good news! Most compressor problems are preventable. If you want to avoid expensive air conditioning repair service, you need to read this. Keep reading to learn the eight reasons compressors malfunction and what you need to do to prevent a breakdown.
Thermostat: The Advantages of Automated Temperature Control System
Have you wanted more control over temperature at your home? One way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature with less fuss is to install an automated temperature control system. This smart home gadget lets you keep your temperature at optimal levels, and when used correctly it lowers your energy costs. Keep reading to learn more about the top three advantages of using a temperature control system.
How Often Should You Get Your Heating System Inspected?
When it comes to people, there are two types. One faithfully switches out the furnace filter at the start of each season. The other, when asked, isn’t sure if the filter was changed last year or the year before. Chances are neither has had an HVAC inspection this year. Even though the HVAC system is one of the most important in the home, getting it inspected on a regular basis seems like it’s hit-or-miss for many homeowners. If that’s you, you’re not alone. Many people figure if the system turns on and heats or cools, everything is fine. It’s not too late to start caring for your HVAC system. Here are a few tips designed to help you figure out how often yours should get an inspection.
Unclogging Your Air Conditioner’s Drain Line
When you take time to clean your air conditioner’s drain line, this goes a long way toward improving the efficiency of the HVAC system. If you don’t have the time or inclination, contact an HVAC specialist near you. However, cleaning the condensate line is a simple procedure that’s easily done by homeowners who want to maintain their system and save money.
The Importance of Improving Indoor Air Quality
Good air quality in the home is important to your family’s health. People take precautions to prevent breathing in bad air outside their homes, but rarely consider that the problem could be under their own roof. The good news is that you have the power to improve the air quality in your home. Simple adjustments to your HVAC system is the best way to get started.
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