One of the biggest misconceptions about air conditioning service in Arlington, TX is that it only involves cleaning your system’s air filters. However, cleaning or replacing the air filters is only one of many actions performed by a reputable air conditioning service company in order to keep your home’s system running at its peak performance all year round. Additionally, a regular air conditioning service plan can help you save money in a number of ways, mainly by detecting possible problems before they rear their ugly heads, resulting in costly repairs that you may not have budgeted for.
In this article we will cover all of the intricacies, benefits, and reasons why you should perform regular air conditioning service in your Arlington, TX home’s system. We will also talk about what you should know before hiring the first company that comes up in a quick online search, and other important considerations you should keep in mind. Let’s get started.
Is This Type of Service Really Necessary?
Before we get started on all of the actions included in an air conditioning service program, we will try to answer the question that is probably running through your mind right now: Is air conditioning service really necessary? The short answer to this question is a resounding Yes!
If you own a vehicle, you already know the benefits of regular oil changes and tune ups. Your home’s air conditioner needs the same type of attention. Think about it this way, your unit is an expensive piece of equipment that works day in and day out, especially during the hottest days of the summer. This places large amounts of stress on its components. This continuous work also results in your unit accumulating large amounts of dust and debris that can cause it to cool less efficiently. All of this, if left unattended, can result in breakdowns when you least expect, or want, them, and which can be quite costly to repair.
Providing your Arlington, TX home’s air conditioner with regular maintenance can help you detect and correct any potential issues that could happen due to its continuous use. Air conditioning service provided by a reputable company can also help you save money in the long run, not only from preventing costly repairs, but also by making your system more efficient, which will result in lower power bills every month.
Even if your air conditioner is relatively new, providing maintenance to your Arlington, TX home’s air conditioning system will ensure your unit’s life span is extended beyond its expected life span, which will ensure you don’t have to incur the expense of a new one for many more years. With older units, regular air conditioning service can help you plan and budget for a new system well in advance, so you aren’t caught unprepared when the time comes to replace it.
All in all, performing regular air conditioning service to your Arlington, TX home’s AC is probably one of the best decisions you can make as a homeowner.
What Exactly Does It Include?
A good air conditioning service program involves several important activities targeted at ensuring your unit cools more efficiently, and runs more smoothly. Here are a few of the most important ones.
Cleaning or replacing your dirty air filters
As the name suggests, your air conditioner’s air filters are there to make sure the air circulating into your home is free from dust and other contaminants that could cause you or your family members to suffer from allergies or chronic respiratory issues. When they become clogged with dust and dirt, they can be responsible for larger problems within your AC system, including the formation of ice and improper cooling. During this activity, your service tech will remove the filter and wash all the dirt and grime off it before returning it to its place. In some cases, the filter will be clogged beyond any cleaning, in which case it will be replaced by a new one.
Cleaning of the evaporator coil and condenser
As we have already mentioned, the accumulation of dirt and debris on your AC unit’s components can lead to potentially severe problems, such as your system’s overheating. This also stands true for your unit’s evaporator coil and condenser. During your programmed air conditioning service, your tech will visually inspect these components and carefully remove any dust that could be causing your system to work less effectively. At the same time, the tech will inspect and clean other important components of your system in order to ensure no trouble is brewing and that everything is in good working order. It is at this time that any parts that are about to malfunction will be changed. Of course, the tech will consult with you prior to performing any replacements.
Cleaning of the drains and pans
During this activity, your air conditioning service tech will clean your unit’s drains and pans, in order to ensure they can work efficiently. At the same time, they will visually inspect these components to ensure their integrity and to detect any potential problems that could cause your grief later on.
Leak detection and repair
One of the final activities of your programmed air conditioning service will be the detection and repair of any leaks. During this process, your tech will check the integrity of all of your system’s hoses and pipes, together with other components to make sure they aren’t leaking refrigerant or other fluids. If any cracks or tears are found, the tech will let you know about any replacement parts that could be required to prevent your system from breaking down later on, or requiring an emergency repair.
Final inspection
Once your air conditioning service tech has finished performing all of the previously mentioned activities, they will make a final visual inspection of your system to ensure everything has been properly cleaned and restored, making sure any necessary replacement parts have been correctly installed. Once this is done, they will ask you to restart your system to give it one final check to verify it is working properly.
An air conditioning service program should be implemented at least once a year, but in general it is suggested it be done in early spring and fall, in order for your home’s air conditioning system to be in top working order for the months it is needed the most.
Finding the Best Company for the Job
Not all air conditioning service companies are created equally, and some have much better reputations than others. While your first instinct would be to run a quick online search, chances are the first ones on the results list may not be the ones that would work best for you. Here are a few things you should consider when looking for the best air conditioning service provider for your Arlington, TX home.
Ask your friends and family for a recommendation
One of the best sources of information about a good air conditioning company are the people you know and trust. Your friends and family will be happy to tell you all about their experience working with a certain company and can provide good references as to how satisfied they were with the work and the amount they paid for it. So, don’t hesitate to ask them before you look elsewhere. If you don’t know anybody who can provide a trustworthy recommendation, then you can resort to online sources, including the Better Business Bureau, for help.
Check online
When looking for an AC service company online, make sure you always read the company’s reviews. These reviews are written by people like you who have used a certain company’s services before, which can give you a good idea of what to expect from them. Keep in mind that one or two negative reviews don’t mean that the company is bad. In these cases, what you should look for is how the contractor resolved the customer’s problem and how quickly it was done. Negative reviews that are overlooked by contractors usually mean they don’t care about their customers as much as they should, so be wary of negative reviews that go unanswered.
Ask another contractor for a referral
You may not know a good air conditioning service company, but it is highly likely you have worked with another contractor or handyman who might. Don’t hesitate to give them a call to ask for a referral, and check online for customer reviews to help you make your choice.
Don’t be afraid to ask for referrals from the company
When you are interviewing potential AC service companies, don’t hesitate to ask them for customer referrals you can call, and make sure you talk to them so you can get a good feel for what to expect from the service you are contracting with them. Customers are always happy to share their experiences with businesses they have worked with, so be prepared to hear both the good and the bad.
There is no such thing as a dumb question
A professional AC service company will be happy to help you understand everything involved in the service they will be providing, so always make sure you ask any questions you may have, no matter how simple you think it may be. The best companies will always want you to completely understand the process, and by answering your questions they can be sure no misunderstandings arise down the road, so ask away.
Always verify if the company’s licensing and insurance are current
Because of the nature of the work they perform, a reputable AC service company will always ensure their licenses and insurance policies are current and provide enough coverage in case anything gets damaged in the course of their work. This will provide you with the peace of mind you can get from knowing that no matter what, everything will be protected, including your property and any technicians that work on your system. Remember, accidents are a fact of life and are not always avoidable, so it’s best to make sure all of these expenses will be covered by a licensed professional that carries a good insurance policy.
The same stands true for licenses. Sometimes your air conditioning maintenance program will require your unit’s coolant to be changed or topped off. In these cases, a special refrigerant handling and disposal license could be required, as well as other licenses required by the state of Texas to perform any air conditioning work. So, ask the contractor to show them to you to make sure they are current. If they are not, you should look for somebody else to perform the job.
Always ask for a detailed quote in writing
Even though maintenance programs almost always include the same type of activities across the board, it is always in your best interest to request a detailed quote in writing. This way you can always refer to it when the actual work is being performed. A detailed quote also helps clear up what is and is not included in your service program, and can help clear up any questions you may have down the line. At the same time, any warranties should be mentioned on the quote, just in case you need them for a faulty part later on.
To summarize, one of the best ways to make sure your air conditioner is always working in its best and most efficient form, while ensuring it provides you with cool air for a long time to come, is to perform a regular air conditioning service program. At Minuteman Heating & Air we are happy to help you save time, money, and aggravation by providing the best AC service you can find in the Arlington, TX area. So, whether you need your home’s air conditioner serviced or repaired, don’t hesitate to give us a call, and we will gladly schedule a visit to check your system out so you can have cool air flowing into your home again in no time at all!