Exploring The Basics Of Air Conditioning Service | Arlington, TX
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Most people are not thinking about their air conditioning right now now that it has finally cooled down in Arlington, TX. While your furnace may be on, this is actually a great time to book your manual air conditioning service in Arlington, TX. Ideally, you want to troubleshoot and catch any issues before they arise, and that makes winter the best time to do so because you won’t have to worry about losing access to your AC during the service or if repairs are necessary.
The point of air conditioning service is to look over your entire HVAC system and clean it. This is easiest to do while it is not in use. It also allows the inspector to look deep into your system and see if there are any moving parts that are wearing down and need to be replaced before they break. They also will clean out all dust and debris to ensure that when you fire up your system in the spring it will come to life as expected.
If you wait until spring to schedule an air conditioning service, there is always the chance that it won’t turn on, or a part you need to fix the problem will need to be repaired. This means that you will have to deal with the sweltering sun while you wait for it to be delivered. Save yourself some heartache and some heatstroke and be proactive about your AC service this year. The following is a brief overview of what to expect, the benefits of regular AC service, and how to prepare for your yearly AC service.
What Is An Air Conditioning Service?
The purpose of an air conditioning service is to ensure that your AC is installed correctly and working correctly. When you book a service with a qualified HVAC company they will inspect your AC from head to toe to make sure there are no parts or components that appear to be wearing out while checking for loose connections. In addition, regular AC service is a great way to ensure that there are no small leaks or any unsightly noises.
As mentioned earlier, an air conditioning service is the best way to ensure that your HVAC system is functioning as it should before you enter the peak of Arlington, TX summers. Of course, you can have your service done at any time, so if you prefer to schedule during the summer months call in advance and we can get you on the books. It is a smart idea to call a few months in advance because summer is the peak season for HVAC service.
How to Prepare for an Air Conditioning Service
Before your air conditioning service, you will want to ensure that your HVAC system is accessible whether it is in your basement or utility closet. The tech should be able to safely reach it as well as access the outdoor component without any trouble.
What to Expect When The HVAC Tech Comes to Your Home
During your air conditioning service, a properly trained HVAC technician will be inspected, clean, and check all of the components of your system. They will usually start from the outside and work in, but every company and HVAC tech has their own process. Therefore, this is a generic list of what you should expect, but your HVAC tech can clean or inspect your system in their own preferred order.
As part of any service, the tech will start by looking around the system and visually inspecting the outside and inside to ensure there are no signs of water dripping out of the system. If they see a leak or an indication that a leak has occurred such as watermarks on the floor they will more thoroughly look at all of the pipes and tubes to diagnose the issue.
At the same time, they will clean out the AC unit and drain all dirt and debris to ensure that it is running at its peak performance unhindered by any blockages. During most visits, the fin and air filters will be cleaned. Dust and debris naturally build up outdoors on your system as well inside and ice can actually form within the AC that will prevent further cooling. All of this will be inspected and cleaned and the fin will be thoroughly washed of any mold or debris to ensure that it is operating efficiently.
Next, the technician will take a close look at the evaporator fan and the AC condenser to check and remove any dust or mold build-up. Depending on the type of HVAC system you have in place this could be either indoors or outdoors. The condenser coils will also be thoroughly checked to ensure they are clean and free of debris since the coils can overheat and kick off the entire AC system if too much dirt is allowed to build up. Before finishing the air conditioning service, your tech will check the coolant level to ensure it is at an acceptable level. If the coolant gets too low then your AC will quit working.
After all of the actual servicing is done, your HVAC technician will then inspect the entire unit hitting all of the main items like the compressor, condenser unit, thermostat, and evaporator unit to ensure that there are no visible issues.
Benefits of Regular Air Conditioning Service
The most obvious benefit of air conditioning service in Arlington, TX is that it prevents you from being left in the middle of a hot spell without AC. While many people consider heating to be a necessity, in Texas air conditioning is just as much as a necessity. You want to ensure that your system is always functioning at its best. Proper servicing can help keep your AC working throughout the summer without any sudden repairs or unexpected breakdowns. This is just one of the many benefits. Here are just a few more.
Enhanced Air Quality
Your home air conditioning is responsible for more than just cooling the air inside of your home. It is also responsible for maintaining reasonable air quality within your home. Your AC should be removing dust from the air and filtering out other contaminants. In addition, since most homes are sealed up with windows and doors shut firmly throughout the summer in Arlington, TX, your air conditioning is the only source of fresh air in your home.
The best way to ensure the fresh air is actually fresh is by keeping your HVAC unit clean. As mentioned, cleaning is an extensive part of an air conditioning service which in turn helps improve the air quality of your home. Over time dirt and debris will build up in your AC as well as in your ducts. Proper cleaning is the only way to ensure that this dirt and debris is not forced back into the air in the form of particulate matter. You wouldn’t want to breathe the dust on top of your picture frames in, why would you want to breathe in the same dust from your AC.
Increase the Energy-Efficiency of Your Unit
Not only does removing and cleaning your AC help reduce the amount of dust that gets into the air, but it also helps to improve its overall energy-efficiency. Cleaner coils for example are able to properly cool air while expending less energy. If less energy is required for the same job you will see your monthly AC costs dropdown. In addition, cleaning all components will mean that your system can work better and for longer. When there is a large amount of dust and debris throughout the system it has to work hard which increases the wear and tear on parts. If you want your AC system to make it to its full lifespan, you need to make sure that you help it out. Less wear and tear means lower energy bills and a larger lifespan which in turn makes your investment pay off.
Increase Your Comfort at Home
It used to be estimated that people spent 90% of their time indoors, now thanks to the pandemic the average homeowner probably spends even more within their own home. If you are confined to your home day in and day out you want to be comfortable. This is easily achieved by making sure that your home is evenly cooled- which is possible if you book a regular air conditioning service.
Uneven cooling throughout a home is often a sign that something is wrong with your AC. During your service, this can be investigated and repaired if necessary. You don’t want to keep paying high energy bills and still find yourself uncomfortable inside of your home. Paying a bit each year for added comfort is well worth it.
Fewer Repairs Down the Road
HVAC repairs are unavoidable. As your system ages, some components will break down and fail, requiring you to call for air conditioning repair. However, emergency air conditioning repair can be costly and inconvenient since the parts you need may not always be available. The average homeowner has to wait a day or two for AC repairs simply because the parts need to be ordered and delivered before the repair can be made.
You can bypass repairs and the wait time by proactively having parts repaired that are becoming worn during service calls. Not only does regular air conditioning service ensure that all of your parts are kept working at their best, but it also allows the HVAC technician to closely inspect them and warn that a repair is imminent. Getting ahead of the problem keeps your AC running and keeps everyone in your home happy. Plus, as a bonus, you avoid the high-cost emergency repair bill so it turns into a win-win for everyone involved.
Extends the Life of Your HVAC System
As briefly mentioned above, regular AC service is the best way to ensure that your HVAC system makes it to its projected lifespan. The same way you can’t buy a car and assume that because it’s new it will keep working if you skip all of the scheduled maintenance appointments, you can’t install an HVAC system and then sit back and expect it to last for 15 years.
If you don’t keep scheduled maintenance visits the system will start to deteriorate and fall apart long before it reaches the end of its lifespan. You wouldn’t expect a car that only has its oil checked every few years to last long, so don’t expect your HVAC system to quietly hum along if you aren’t having it serviced. Regular AC service will extend the lifespan of your unit and depending on the model and your maintenance efforts, even prolong it. We have seen units still functioning 20+ years after installation in Arlington, TX which is considered outstanding, but that is the difference that regular maintenance can make.
We recommend that most of our customers plan an annual air conditioning service. It is easiest if you pick one season and align it with another household task so that it’s easy to remember. For example, if you always schedule your annual AC inspection around your yearly physical it is easy to remember to take care of both. While a lot of people prefer to handle it during the winter and spring months before summer kicks into full swing, you can schedule an AC service at any time of the year.
Who Should You Hire for an Air Conditioning Service?
It is always best to turn to a professional HVAC company for your air conditioning service. While local cleaning agencies and handymen may offer servicing programs, your AC system is a huge investment. You don’t want just anyone inspecting costly major aspects of your system. At Minuteman Heating and Air, all of our technicians are properly trained and licensed to handle all aspects of HVAC cleaning. Give us a call today to book your air conditioning service.