The thought of returning home to a malfunctioning AC on a hot, humid day fills most homeowners with dread. A poorly maintained system is unreliable and can fall apart at anytime.
Responsible homeowners abide by the golden rule- take care of your AC, and it will take good care of you.
According to the US EIA, air conditioning accounts for around 17 percent of the energy used in an average American home. No wonder families are always on the lookout for ways to improve air conditioning efficiency.
There are simple things to take care of the right way in order to get the most out of your A/C. Have your contractor look at your system at least once every year, move swiftly to address cooling problems, and inculcate good usage habits.
Before you create a maintenance strategy for your A/C, go through this list of factors that affect AC performance.
Can not emphasize enough the importance of choosing the right size AC for your home. An A/C unit with a lower-than-required capacity will fail to meet your home’s cooling needs. On the other hand, an oversized unit will consume more electricity than usual and cycle too often.
When determining the right size AC for your home, consider your home’s layout, size, and design.
Consider whether your house has high ceilings and an open floor plan. The placement of ceiling fans and other air circulation systems is another critical factor to consider.
Pets, especially cats and dogs, shed a lot. Pet hair along with dust, dirt, dander, and other contaminants clog A/C filters. If you have pets at home, your AC’s filter may clog sooner than usual. To prevent performance and airflow issues, change your filters every 30 days.
Pet hair can also clog up AC drains. If your pooch or cat sheds a lot, you would want to inspect and clean your AC drains more frequently than usual (bi-annually).
Ducts transport the conditioned air throughout your home. If your ducts are clogged or in poor condition, your AC can’t distribute air effectively.
Ducts can develop leaks and accumulate dust over time. Unclean or leaky ductwork will affect the efficiency of your air conditioning system. If you ignore unclean ducts, your energy bills will rise sharply. Your A/C will have to work harder and longer. The resultant stress can cut short your AC’s service life.
To prevent issues, check your AC ducts regularly for leaks. In addition to scheduling A/C maintenance once every year, have your contractor inspect your ductwork periodically. During an inspection session, your contractor will look for and patch holes and clean out severe build-up.
Every device comes with an expiration date, and an AC is no exception. The parts of an AC wear out over time. An old AC will not just use more electricity than usual but will need frequent repairs.
With proper care and maintenance, an AC can last 10 years. If your AC is on its last legs, replace it before things go from bad to worse.
If you are confused about whether your AC needs repairs or must be replaced, consult your contractor. The professional will conduct several tests and inspect different parts to assess your AC’s health. Based on their findings, the professional will suggest the best course of action.
Poor insulation puts extra stress on your AC, forcing it to work harder and longer than expected to maintain a comfortable temperature. To prevent conditioned air from escaping your home through leaks, insulate your attic. Add insulation to drafty windows.
Like all other household equipment, your AC needs regular maintenance. Ignoring A/C maintenance can be a costly mistake. Your AC may develop a problem and stop working one hot, humid summer night.
Depending on the seriousness of the issue, you may have to spend hundreds (even thousands) of dollars to revive your AC. In the worst-case scenario, irreversible damage could occur, rendering the system useless.
To prevent issues:
A trained A/C technician can diagnose and address such problems.
Regular maintenance gives your contractor opportunities to diagnose and nip problems in the bud.
During a maintenance session, your contractor will:
John Owens Services, Inc. is a leading HVAC company in Santa Rosa. We are committed to helping our customers get the most out of their heating and cooling systems. Whatever your problem, we will get to the root of it and eliminate it. To schedule an inspection, call 707-207-8592.
Our philosophy is simple, we always want to maintain equipment to give it the longest life possible. Next, we want to focus on repairing when something goes wrong. Then only as the last choice, we replace equipment when needed. That’s the John Owens Way.
San Rafael 
Book Now