HVAC: Keeping Your Cool In the SummerHVAC: Keeping Your Cool In the Summer

Like other HVAC equipment used in the home, air conditioning installation is a big investment, and residential air conditioners need some level of maintenance to keep operating at peak efficiency.

As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to ensure that your air conditioning unit is properly maintained. Failure to do so will result in several undesirable outcomes, including the ones highlighted below.

High repair bills

Your residential air conditioning system comprises several different parts that require routine maintenance attention to keep working properly. When you fail to perform maintenance checks as required, you'll have no way of finding out if the various parts are in the best working shape. This will, in turn, increase the potential for complete or frequent system failures, which may translate into costly repairs.

High energy bills

A poorly maintained air conditioning unit will not run at peak efficiency, and this will increase energy consumption in the home. If the air conditioner filter is clogged with dirt, for example, air flow within the system will be significantly reduced.

The condenser unit will be forced to run harder and longer to achieve the desired room temperatures. This will result in a higher electricity meter reading, and this will subsequently cause your monthly electricity bills to escalate. 

Health-deteriorating effects

Filter change is a critical part of routine air conditioner maintenance because it helps promote unobstructed air flow within the system but also helps clean the air. By trapping airborne dirt particulates, air conditioner filters help protect your family from the health-deteriorating elements.

By failing to change your filter when required, you increase the potential for dust, human hair, VOCs in household products, pet dander and other forms of harmful dirt to worsen the health of loved ones with asthmatic and respiratory problems.

Shorter equipment lifespan

Lastly, it's a no-brainer that an air conditioner that is not given sufficient maintenance attention won't reach the end of its expected lifespan. Neglected problems tend to exacerbate over time, thus resulting in bigger problems that only serve to shorten the service life of the equipment. Therefore, you shouldn't be surprised if your A/C ends up completely breaking down earlier than you had expected.

If your A/C design is easy to crack, then you can perform routine maintenance service yourself. But if it is too complex, or you just don't have the time to give your equipment the necessary maintenance attention, it is best to leave the job to a qualified HVAC contractor.