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Why Schedule a Spring A/C Tune-Up?

Don’t wait until temperatures soar. Now is the absolute best time to make sure your cooling system is ready for summer. By tuning up your air conditioner, you save time and money, reduce the likelihood of a crisis, and avoid the inconvenience, frustration, and potential danger of being without a cool, comfortable home during the hottest, most humid time of the year.

Technician performing Trane AC tune-up

Preventive Maintenance

Like a car, air conditioners have lots of parts that are subjected to stress and can wear out. A tune-up allows professionals to examine the inner workings of an air conditioner to ensure all the important components are sound and functioning correctly. Fixing any issue in the spring means you’re less likely to have a breakdown when it’s extremely hot outside and when HVAC technicians are in high demand.

Also, just like a car, the older an air conditioner gets, the more inevitable a problem becomes. Manufacturers and technicians strongly urge homeowners to have an older A/C unit serviced yearly.

Is an Air Conditioner Tune-Up Really Necessary?

You might be asking: Do I really need to have my AC unit serviced every year? Although some homeowners don’t, here are five great reasons you should, especially if you have an older cooling unit.

What are the Benefits of a Spring Tune-Up?


1. LONGER SYSTEM LIFE

When you take care of the things you own, they last longer. Most HVAC systems fail prematurely because of lack of maintenance.

If you forego maintenance, your system will experience a buildup of dirt and debris. It will no longer be able to function at peak efficiency. After having to work so hard day after day, it’s eventually spent and can no longer go any further.

A healthy system that undergoes routine maintenance will last 25 to 40 percent longer. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a proper air conditioner tune-up can improve your system’s durability, saving money in the long-term. Moreover, an optimally performing cooling system requires fewer repairs over the life of the system.

2. REDUCED RISK OF A BREAKDOWN

A seasonal air conditioner tune-up reduces the likelihood of an untimely breakdown. When a cooling system runs to the maximum, it’s bound to break down eventually. It could happen during extreme weather conditions, or during an important holiday when you have friends or family over.

In fact, some experts have said that 75 percent of calls during the summer are due to lack of maintenance. A licensed technician will be able to spot any current issues an air conditioner is facing as well as any potential problems.

3. INCREASED ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Since cooling and heating equipment accounts for nearly half of a home’s energy costs, it’s important that the system works efficiently. When the cooling system works harder to provide the level of comfort needed, it takes more energy, which costs you more. Dirty air filters and coils, a lack of lubricant on parts, and a low refrigerant charge are all reasons an air conditioner might not be functioning properly. When a system is operating at peak efficiency, however, that translates into savings.

An air conditioner tune-up includes verifying and adjusting the refrigerant charge, if needed, plus the inspection and cleaning of the indoor and outdoor coils to ensure correct temperature drop across the coil and proper cooling performance. In addition to ensuring safe operation, this will keep your air conditioner running as efficiently as possible all season.

4. CLEANER AIR

Most air conditioner tune-ups also include some basic cleaning and a new air filter. This cleaning process can help remove some of the dust and debris in your system, improving air quality throughout your home. More involved tune-ups may also include duct cleaning, which removes even more dust and dirt.

5. PROPER AIRFLOW

Restricted or limited airflow places an unnecessary strain on an air conditioner that can lead to a shortened lifespan and/or increased repairs. During an air conditioner tune-up, the HVAC technician will perform a static airflow test. This test will measure how hard the fan is working to move air throughout your home.

6. ENSURE THE MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY STAYS IN EFFECT

Most manufacturers require homeowners to have regular maintenance on their heating and cooling systems performed by a licensed professional and to keep records of all work. Failure to do so could void the warranty.

So, with these reasons in mind, it only makes sense to tune up your home’s air conditioning systems now before the long hot humid summer cooling season begins. Having a tuned-up HVAC system will also give you peace of mind knowing everything is ready for a summer of fun.

Schedule your spring AC tune-up today!  Find a dealer near you