Air conditioning is important for many homes during the hot summer months in Edmonton. However, the costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Know how regular air conditioning service can lower AC repair costs, and embrace energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll be able to appreciate a comfortable home this summer without spending a lot.
What Routine AC Service Involves
Air conditioning maintenance is an affordable, predictable yearly charge that pays you back by decreasing repair costs and lengthening your unit’s life span. Here are some critical maintenance steps that help prevent air conditioner breakdowns:
- Replace the air filter: A dirty filter slows down airflow and causes your air conditioner to work harder, burning more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Changing your air conditioner's dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your yearly maintenance service call, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, promotes ideal airflow and efficiency.
- Clean the evaporator coil: The indoor evaporator coil collects dirt and dust with time, decreasing its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant in the coil to freeze, preventing your air conditioner from operating properly. Cleaning the coil takes away this insulating layer and will help the refrigerant to operate effectively.
- Clean the condenser coil: The exterior condenser coil lets out heat absorbed by the refrigerant. If it’s blocked by cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is diminished. Cleaning the condenser coil increases the unit’s function significantly, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could cause breakdowns.
- Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, reducing airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner's performance. Correcting the fins with a fin comb rearranges51 them to their original position to restore ideal airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving components creates heat and causes undue wear and tear. Routine lubrication reduces friction, ensuring smooth operation and decreasing the need for repairs.
- Check refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another reason why your AC can freeze up, resulting in longer run times, comfort problems and preventable AC repairs. An HVAC professional uses specialized tools to assess and adjust refrigerant levels as needed to verify proper function and prevent a mid-season breakdown.
Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs
Annual maintenance is an important factor in reducing AC repair charges, but here are some other ideas to help your air conditioner operate reliably all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Raising the temperature on the thermostat setting limits the wear and tear on your cooling system. Pick a comfortable temperature and avoid lowering the temperature.
- Use a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps control your home’s temperature more effectively, reducing the pressure on your AC unit. An effective technique is to schedule setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save yourself on energy costs and further alleviate wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around windows and doors let warm, humid air indoors. Apply caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overworking your air conditioning equipment.
- Put in additional insulation: A proper attic insulation level promotes reliable indoor temperatures and will reduce your AC’s workload. If you can see the attic floor or joists poking through the current insulation, add more.
- Stop solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the workload of your air conditioner. Installing window coverings and pulling the blinds or shades during the hottest times of the day blocks solar heat gain and lowers the danger of a mid-season breakdown.
- Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect produced by ceiling fans makes your room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which allows you to raise the thermostat setting without surrendering comfort. Remember to turn the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
- Use a dehumidifier: For those who reside in a humid part of the United States, increased humidity levels can easily make your home feel cool but clammy, causing you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier removes unwanted moisture, giving your air conditioner a much-needed break.
- Clear out your vents123: Closed or covered air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which might cause your air conditioner to break down. To avoid this, leave at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs accidentally block airflow. Enhance circulation further by keeping interior doors open as much as possible.
- Upgrade to an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, think about upgrading to a more energy-efficient design. In addition to enhanced efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or experience maintenance issues than an older unit, bringing down your repair bills in the long run.
Schedule Air Conditioning Repair in Edmonton
By investing in regular air conditioning maintenance and following other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with lower repair costs this summer. Rob's Albertan Service Experts offers quality AC tune-ups to boost efficiency and extend your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.