If you haven’t had the air conditioner in your Sugarland, TX, home tuned up yet, now’s the best time to schedule one. A good enough reason is that experts expect the number of hot days in the city to increase.
If your air conditioning system isn’t up to par, it can fail and break down when you need it the most.
But what is an AC tune-up, and what does it entail? Why do you even need it?
This guide provides insights into all those questions, so read on.
What Is an AC Tune-Up?
An AC tune-up is a general assessment of your air conditioner and its components. During one, a local AC repair specialist will inspect the indoor and outdoor units of your home’s cooling system. They’ll look at the state of critical parts and note if anything requires replacement or repairs.
What Does an AC Tune-Up Entail?
After carefully inspecting your indoor and outdoor AC units, the experienced HVAC technician will clean their critical components. These include the following:
- Evaporator coils
- Condenser coils
- Condensate drain
- Dirty connections
- Filthy or clogged air filters
The HVAC technician will also tighten electrical connections and calibrate the thermostat. Next, the pro will lubricate moving parts and verify refrigerant levels. Then, they’ll run a comprehensive system check to ensure your AC is functioning at its peak.
Finally, the HVAC technician will discuss what they found during their inspection. For example, they’ll inform you of potential AC problems and their solutions. They can often perform the needed repairs on the same day or your preferred date and time.
Why Do You Need Regular AC Tune-Ups?
Investing in regular AC summer maintenance helps ensure that your air conditioner can cool your home, especially during heat waves. It also boosts your system’s performance, energy efficiency, and longevity. It can even help maintain optimal indoor air quality (IAQ).
Heat Preparedness
Extreme heat conditions can cause heat-related illnesses. According to the local Sugarland government, one way to prevent such hazards is to stay in an air-conditioned area during hot days.
That makes tune-ups an integral part of heat preparedness. After all, their primary goal is to ensure the optimal functioning of your cooling system. And if you have a properly functioning AC, you can rest easy knowing you can stay cool inside your home even during a heat wave.
Boost System Performance and Energy Efficiency
Dirt and debris build-up on coils and filters is one of the biggest enemies of your air conditioner. It can significantly interfere with the air flowing in and out of your system. That can lead to the AC producing inadequate or no cold air.
Aside from compromising comfort, dirty AC components also cause your system to use more energy. After all, they force your system to work harder to cool your home. This additional workload then causes your energy bills to spike.
Replacing or washing dirty filters, on the other hand, can cut your AC’s energy use by as much as 5% to 15%. That’s on top of the energy savings you can get when an HVAC expert cleans your system’s coils.
Catch and Fix AC Problems Before They Worsen
Some air conditioner problems can go unnoticed until they cause the system to break down.
A perfect example is a tiny refrigerant leak. No matter how small it is, it’ll keep wasting refrigerant, which is expensive to top up and critical to the cooling process. Without enough of this substance, your AC will fail to cool your home and may even ice up.
From there, the ice that thaws can cause water damage to your home and promote mold growth.
Another AC problem that can become a nightmare is an electrical issue, such as corroded, frayed, or loose connections. If not addressed immediately, they can cause hazards like shock and burn injuries. They may even pose the risk of electrical fires.
So before any of those dangers occur, hire a professional to tune up your air conditioner ASAP. This way, you can prevent your AC from breaking down when you need it the most, or worse, endangering you and your loved ones.
Prolong Your AC’s Lifespan
Any “extra” work your AC has to do (for instance, due to a clogged filter) places unnecessary strain on its components. That chips away at their estimated service life, making them more likely to break down sooner. You’ll have to get them repaired or replaced more often than necessary.
Frequent AC repairs or part replacements can be expensive. It may be even cheaper to replace the entire air conditioner. Either way, you could waste a lot of money because you couldn’t get the most out of your system.
Remember: Well-maintained air conditioners can last 10 to 15 years. By contrast, neglected ones can last much less than that.
Maintain Optimal IAQ
AC filters prevent particles like dust, dirt, debris, dander, and mold spores from entering and building up in the system. In doing so, they also help minimize pollutants in the air that your AC circulates throughout your home.
However, the opposite can happen if your AC filter becomes clogged with filth. The force of the air that the system sucks in can dislodge some of the pollutants previously trapped by the filter. That then reintroduces them into the air that you breathe in.
Also, as mentioned above, leaky ACs can promote mold growth, which can affect IAQ and health.
Don’t let any of that happen by investing in regular AC tune-ups.
Beat the Heat With a Well-Maintained AC
And there you have it, the guide answering your question, “What is an AC tune-up?” Now you know it’s a crucial service that helps maintain your system’s performance, efficiency, and safety.
So, if you haven’t had or can’t remember the last time you had one, let Custom Air Systems come to your aid! We provide high-quality HVAC services to residents of Sugarland, TX, and we have been doing so for over 20 years.
Contact us today to schedule your AC tune-up or repair. We offer 24/7 service, so if you have an HVAC emergency, rest assured you can rely on us anytime.
