When your air conditioning seems to be working fine, the idea of spending money on it can be difficult. But, although your AC system may seem fine, it may not be working as effectively, and it may be less energy efficient. If you need to keep the cooler air flowing and you don’t want to spend too much on your energy bills, an annual tune up is the best solution. Let’s take a closer look at what an air conditioner tune up involves and why you need it for your AC system.

Get Ready for the Cooling Season Ahead

The idea time to schedule an annual tune up for your air conditioning system is Spring. There are two main reasons why this is the best time to get this work carried out.

Flexible Timing: At other times of the year, HVAC technicians are often busy dealing with AC system problems. The mid mild spring months are usually a more flexible time for many HVAC companies. Sadly, most people don’t get their HVAC systems serviced or tuned up, and they wait for them to fail before calling a local HVAC company. This means that HVAC companies are typically less busy in spring, and an appointment to suit your schedule is easier to arrange.

Prepare for Heavier Use: During the spring months, it is highly unlikely that you would use the air conditioning system at all. So, if you schedule a tune up or service, you can complete the process before the system has been used. When you tune up your AC system for the cooling season to come you can get better performance from your air conditioning equipment and save money on your energy bills at the same time.

It’s important to realize that you can catch up on your air conditioning service or tune up needs. If you miss an earlier spring slot, you can still benefit from a tune up later, and it’s always worthwhile.

What Are the Main Benefits of a Tune Up?

There are four main benefits of an annual air conditioning system tune up.

  • Extend the Useful Lifespan: An average central air conditioning system has a useful lifespan of 15-20 years. An AC system that has suffered from years of neglect with no servicing or maintenance is likely to fail earlier. A well maintained air conditioner that receives a professional tune up each year and has any faults repaired quickly, is more likely to keep you cool to the 20 year mark and even beyond.
  • Avoid Breakdowns: An air conditioner is a complex piece of equipment with electronic, electrical, and mechanical components that need to work together. When one of these components fails, it affects the others, and the AC system will become ineffective or break down entirely. This may seem like a situation that you simply have to put up with, and it just happens out of the blue. This is incorrect; a regular annual inspection and tune up will identify minor issues before they develop into major problems. This means that you won’t have to suffer any downtime with your cooling equipment when you need it most.
  • Improving Energy Efficiency: Many people dread the summer utility bills for a very good reason. On average, air conditioning will be one of the highest bills that people will pay during a typical year, but a tune up can reduce this burden. When you get your cooling equipment tune up early for the hotter months ahead, it will be far more energy efficient. The AC system will be checked, lubricated, and cleaned to run like new and use the minimum amount of energy required.
  • Smarter Replacement Choices: When the annual inspection and tune up is completed, you should get a report from your HVAC technician. He will tell you how your cooling system is doing and inform you of any potential problems on the horizon. This will give you a better idea of when you might want to start thinking about a system replacement. Knowing in advance gives you plenty of time to plan and take advantage of any great deals that you see. It also allows time for you to save for a new AC system or examine your financing options.

What is Included in an AC System Tune Up?

A professional air conditioning system tune up should include the following eight checks.

  • Cleaning and/or replacing air filters.
  • Inspecting and cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils.
  • A check on the refrigerant levels and the operating pressure in the system.
  • A calibration of the thermostat.
  • An airflow measurement.
  • All moving parts will be lubricated.
  • A full safety control check.
  • A consultation on servicing, repair or replacement concerns.

It’s important to realize that not every HVAC company will carry out every check on this comprehensive list. Like any industry, there are good and bad companies to do business with, and it’s important to be careful. After all, an air conditioning system is a significant investment that you need to protect, and it makes sense to only allow certified professional HVAC technicians to work on your system. When you contact a local HVAC company, make sure that they will carry out every check on this list before you hire them for the job.

Ongoing Annual Tune Ups

Many people get their air conditioner system checked out and then forget about it for a few years because everything seems to be working well. But, every skipped year will cause a reduction in the performance and energy efficiency of the cooling equipment. Essentially, you will begin to spend more money on energy bills for a gradually decreasing level of indoor comfort. Obviously, this is a total waste of money, and it’s better to schedule an annual tune up before the cooling season begins. It’s worth checking with your HVAC company about any deals that they offer on regular servicing. This is a great way to get a reminder that a tune up is needed, and you may even save some money.