Air conditioners bring your home to comfortable temperatures all season long. However, since they\u2019re mostly out of sight and out of mind, you might not know or think about how often you need to service them. In general, most HVAC professionals recommend performing routine air conditioner maintenance two times per year to keep it performing well and in good condition. <\/p>\n
A well-maintained HVAC system runs efficiently longer and prevents expensive breakdowns.\u00a0It also keeps the air in your home clean, and there are plenty of other reasons to\u00a0maintain your HVAC system. If you\u2019re looking for a local HVAC service company, you can enter your information into this quick form: <\/p>\n
When Should You Service Your Air Conditioner?\u00a0<\/h2>\n
Experts agree that you should have your HVAC system serviced twice each year. You should schedule your air conditioning tune-up at the end of spring and fall.\u00a0<\/p>\n
You want to have the service performed before the heat of summer and the cold winter weather. HVACs tend to give out when you put them under the most pressure and the last thing you want is to have a system breakdown when the temperatures are dangerously high.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It is critical that you keep up with these checkups, especially if you have high-risk family members. It is dangerous to have an infant or elderly person in extreme temperatures.<\/p>\n
What Is An Air Conditioning System Checkup?<\/h2>\n
When an\u00a0HVAC technician\u00a0completes a system tuneup, they go over your entire system to identify any potential problems. They look at any HVAC symbols<\/a> to determine what <\/a>to service, check the coolant levels, change filters, clean evaporator coils, clean the condenser, add oil to the motor, check fan belt tension, and add refrigerant if necessary.\u00a0<\/p>\n The HVAC contractor will also swap out any parts you need to replace components like belts, motors, control boards, fans, etc. \u2013\u00a0but only when it is necessary. <\/p>\n Having your HVAC serviced will cost between $100 and $200. If the technician has to replace any parts or add refrigerant, you will have to pay for that,<\/strong> too.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you have an air conditioner made before 2010 that uses R-22 refrigerant, refilling your system can be quite costly. Replacing R-22 refrigerant<\/a> can be difficult as it is no longer sold or imported to the United States.\u00a0<\/p>\n So, if your system uses this refrigerant, your technician will have to have recaptured refrigerant from another system. Because getting it is so challenging, the cost of R-22 refrigerant<\/a> is quite high.\u00a0<\/p>\n Homeowners are now paying more than $50 per pound, and prices will only go up as the supply of R-22 runs out. A 4-ton AC unit takes 16 pounds of coolant. That means filling a 4-ton unit will cost you at least $800.<\/p>\n There are home warranty packages for HVAC systems<\/a> that you could subscribe to take care of your AC repairs and maintenance needs. You might want to check them out to see which one best suits your needs.<\/p>\n In addition to having your air conditioning system maintenance<\/a> performed twice a year, you need to perform other maintenance tasks yourself. There are also some services you should have done every few years. Below are some maintenance tips and ways to clean an air conditioning unit<\/a>. <\/p>\n Your thermostat is like the brain of your HVAC system. It tells your air conditioner when it needs to turn on and off.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most thermostats run off your home\u2019s electricity, but some are battery-powered. If the thermostat batteries are weak, it will cause the thermostat not to work properly. So, you should change the batteries annually or as soon as you see a low battery notification.\u00a0<\/p>\n You should also check the prongs on the back of your thermostat face. Make sure the prongs are not bent, broken, or missing before you replace them. If there are any broken prongs, you should replace the thermostat to keep your AC running well.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nHow Much Do Air Conditioner Tune-ups Cost?<\/h2>\n
What Other AC Maintenance Should You Do?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Thermostat Maintenance<\/h3>\n
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