If you've never had to worry much about HVAC issues in the past, you may not know how to approach the subject of air conditioning repair. While you could always simply pick up the phone and call your nearest service technician every time something goes wrong, you'll find that it pays to understand some "rules of the road" that might save you time, effort, money and frustration in the long run. Check out these "Three Cardinal Rules" of intelligent air conditioning repair.
Rule #1: Prevention Beats Repair
The most convenient and cost-effective repair is the one you never have to make. Many issues related to HVAC wear and tear can and should be addressed before they actually lead to serious problems. For instance, your system's condenser fans, blower and evaporator should be cleaned at regular intervals to help prevent overheating, impaired performance or outright failure. The refrigerant will also need recharging from time to time if you want to keep that cold air coming. Your system's manuals should include recommended service intervals -- but if you don't have that information, make a point of scheduling annual maintenance checks.
Rule #2: Air Conditioning Repair Is Not a DIY Activity
Professional air conditioning repair services don't come cheap -- but trying to save money by working on your HVAC system yourself could cost you much more dearly. The gravest danger comes from handling electrical components and toxic chemicals such as refrigerant without proper training or equipment. You may also be placing your warranty coverage in danger by performing unauthorized repairs on your HVAC system. Last but not least, one wrong move could leave your air conditioner in even worse shape than before, forcing you to pay even more for repairs from a properly-trained technician.
Rule #3: Repeated Breakdowns Should Signal New Air Conditioning Installation
The average home air conditioning system should run for 15 to 20 years, with careful preventative care extending its lifespan further. At some point, however, you'll find yourself constantly repairing this or that component as it wears out. If you get the point where you're paying more in repairs than you can stomach, give serious thought to investing in a new air conditioning installation. You can most likely pay for the new unit in installments while enjoying greatly improved reliability -- not to mention a brand-new warranty to cover many common repairs. If your previous air conditioner tended to fail because it was underpowered for your home, buying a larger, more powerful unit could decrease the risks of future breakdowns. You may even discover than your new air conditioner offers far more energy-efficient cooling than its predecessor.
Keep these essential rules in mind, and you'll weather the ups and downs of air conditioner ownership more easily. Start by asking your local air conditioning repair technician for a preventative maintenance plan!
Share17 January 2020
Every summer, I agonized over energy bills that would shoot into the stratosphere as a result of my efforts to keep cool in the heat. Every time I turned the temperature down, my bills increased. This summer, I decided to take some of the control over my energy bill back. I installed reflective film on my windows that reduced the amount of light and heat coming into the house. I started serving more cold meals or asking my husband to barbecue outside, so that my air conditioner didn't have to compete with the hot stove, and I started doing laundry at night to reduce appliance heat in the house at peak times. I also had ceiling fans installed. So far, the difference in my bill has been tremendous. This blog is a way for me to explore other ways to reduce energy drain during the summer months.