Now that spring has sprung, summer is just around the corner. In fact in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley, summer type weather and temperatures come quite early. This has been a noticeable pattern the last few years with climate change. Because of this new reality, you need your air conditioning system in perfect working order well before you actually need to use it, else you might realize (too late) that you have a non operating AC in the middle of an unforgiving HEAT WAVE. Needless to say, going without your air conditioner for a day or two can prove BRUTAL in LA and worse yet in the Valley and you could end up regretting having put off the most basic of preventative TUNE-UP work now.
The perfect solution is to plan your residential air conditioning inspection in April instead of waiting for the mercury to climb into the 90’s. One of the best reasons to get your residential air conditioning inspected in the early spring is that HVAC companies in Los Angeles generally have a lighter workload when compared to the scorching summer months, when every other person desperately wants to get their AC serviced, inspected or repaired FAST. It’s a simple case of supply and demand. You can also often get a better deal when contractors are “slow.”
Moreover, timely seasonal, pro-active maintenance can help you avoid a number of major larger repairs down the road due to neglect, which will not only ensure cost savings now, but avoid the inconvenience for you as a homeowner later. You might not need the AC working today, but in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley you may desperately need it in 2 weeks or 2 months. The truth is nobody knows. What we do know, however, is that the temperature fluctuations will be huge and you can be sure the highs, will be REALLY high this year. They are ONLY getting higher.
The biggest maintenance issues homeowners face in LA and the Valley with their air conditioning systems include a clogged condenser drain, which can lead to excess humidity indoors and dirty coils, which can hamper the performance of your air conditioning system.
Getting your residential air conditioning or mini-split AC checked in April will also ensure that the thermostat settings are perfectly in sync with the unit itself so that the thermostat adjustment you make delivers the real temperatures you want and expect from your AC unit. This will ensure you can control the comfort level for yourself and your entire family on those broiling days.
Another, often overlooked, item are the air filters. Air filters will need to be replaced. This is a certainty and typically a minimum requirement for a well functioning air conditioning system. Dust, dirt and debris, over the fall and winter months will typically settle in the filters and the spring season is such that the level of pollination will only add to the problem contributing more air borne material that will get inevitably trapped, causing the air filter to get dirty. Although replacement is an easy task for any handy homeowner, willing to take a ride to their local Home Depot or Lowe’s, professionals can replace the air filter, or clean it, depending upon the type, with the appropriate model and type best suited for the unit… without you ever having to think about it. For some, this is the ONLY way it gets actually done. It’s a matter of personal choice and available bandwidth.
An HVAC pro will also…
- Check and top off the AC refrigerant, if necessary,
- Check the electrical connections and wires leading to your air conditioning condenser unit and blower.
- Conduct a safety Inspection of all wiring for any signs of fraying, potential faults or possible exposure to shorts.
- “Pressure testing” all mechanical items to avoid bigger problems at the worst time.
- Lubrication of moving parts.
The biggest benefit of getting your air conditioning system checked out and TUNED-UP in April, is that since your HVAC professional is trained to identify problems and address them preventively, it is unlikely you will need to have any emergency repairs done during the peak summer months when EVERYONE else is scrambling for immediate service and relief from the boiling heat. So, it makes both practical and sometimes economic sense to plan your residential air conditioning inspection in April rather than wait for summer to ensure there are no serious problems with your air conditioning when it is operating under the strain of maximum performance capacity.