Like most things in life, your home’s AC system must be maintained in order to run smoothly and keep up with your demands over the years.
Yet many homeowners in Northborough, MA, fall victim to the notion that their AC system just needs a quick dusting and a fresh filter to be as good as new. They don’t understand the importance of a thorough maintenance routine and the benefits it can offer homeowners.
If that sounds like you, keep reading to find out exactly why AC maintenance is so important, what maintenance you can do yourself, and when it’s time to call in the professionals.
Minimizes Stress on Your System
As dirt, pollen, and other debris build up in your system, it affects your air conditioner’s performance and efficiency. Keeping up with required maintenance minimizes the stress that your system is under. This means your air conditioner will be able to efficiently cool your home for longer periods of time between repairs.
Extends the Life of Your Air Conditioner
On average, air conditioners last for 10 to 15 years. However, with meticulous care and maintenance, today’s air conditioners can keep you cool for over 20 years.
On the other hand, if you don’t keep up with air conditioning maintenance, you could find yourself replacing your air conditioner every 8 to 10 years. That means you’d go through twice as many air conditioners in your life than you would with the help of professional maintenance.
It Saves You The Big Bucks
Since your AC system doesn’t have to work as hard to cool your home, you end up saving on cooling costs when you keep up with air conditioning maintenance. Tune-ups also save you money by catching problems and addressing them during their infancy before the damage gets worse or spreads.
Partnered with regular heating tune-ups, this can translate to thousands of dollars saved over the lifetime of your HVAC system.
Improves Indoor Comfort and Air Quality
Part of AC maintenance is thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting all components of your HVAC system. When done correctly by a licensed professional, this will improve both the indoor air quality and overall comfort by eliminating dust, allergens, mold, and other irritants in your ductwork before they can enter your home.
Upholds Your Warranty
Most manufacturers’ warranties come with special conditions that you must abide by in order for the warranty to remain active. A common caveat in AC warranties is that the unit must receive annual maintenance from a licensed HVAC contractor.
Maintenance Steps You Can Take
To take charge and be proactive with your air conditioning maintenance, there are a few steps you can take.
First, make sure to change your air filters regularly as they fill up. For most people, this is around every 90 days, but Northborough, MA, is notorious for its springtime allergens, so you may need to change them more often. It’s recommended to check your filters at least once a month to see how full they are and ensure there are no clogs.
You should also visually inspect your outdoor unit at least once a month and clear any debris that builds up on the coils, fins, and around the unit. Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit should have at least 24 inches of clear space around it to ensure it has proper ventilation and plenty of room to disperse built-up heat.
When to Call an HVAC Contractor
Besides changing your air filters and cleaning the exterior of your outdoor unit, you should rely on a professional HVAC contractor for the rest of your AC maintenance, including annual tune-ups.
During a professional tune-up, an HVAC contractor can perform a more in-depth inspection and cleaning than you can on your own. They have also been formally trained to identify and deal with whatever problems may arise with your HVAC system.
Reliable HVAC Contractors in Northborough, MA
Choosing the right professionals can make the difference between a happy, healthy home and a home that’s on the brink of an HVAC disaster. In Northborough, MA, it doesn’t get any better than Sharp Plumbing & Heating.
Our team of professional HVAC contractors and reliable plumbers have served Northborough and the surrounding areas for more than 20 years and have built a glowing reputation within the community that speaks for itself.
Whether your HVAC system is giving you grief or you need the expertise of a reliable plumber, you can turn to the experts at Sharp Plumbing & Heating. Contact our team today to schedule your next AC tune-up or maintenance visit.
