If you are a homeowner and you also have an Air Conditioner system operating in your home, you need to accept the fact that you will need routine servicing for the system. This is necessary if you want to keep your monthly energy bills down in these difficult financial times, and if you want your system to function properly and safely. By ensuring that your system is routinely serviced, you can keep your air con repair costs down but how do you know when to call in a professional to service your system?
Even if your system appears to be cooling your home adequately, you still need to have it serviced. Sometimes you might notice that there is a build-up of ice either on or near to the Air Conditioner. You also might notice that the system seems to run continuously, or perhaps it is forever switching off and on. If you notice any of the above, it is time to call in an air con repair service for some much-needed maintenance work on your Air Conditioner system. The truth is, there are many benefits to having your air conditioner serviced.
1. Stop Potentially Expensive Damages Before They Happen.
Like any machine, the more you use it, the more the parts and motor experience wear and tear. The units are built to last a certain amount of time, but, over use can shorten the lifespan of the unit. Even if you do not overuse your AC, the parts inside are working hard and can break down. Often, it is a small part that goes first. For example, a fan blade, fan belt or electrical wire will wear down and cause problems. These are small fixes to make. However, if you let them go, they can cause major damages to your air conditioner. What would have been a $30 fix now requires a full, several thousand dollar, replacement or fix. Having a pro inspect and service your AC will help you catch these problems and fix them before they ruin your air conditioner.
2. Less Wait Time for Service.
This is especially true in the summer. The hotter it gets, the busier HVAC techs are. More heat, more homes with broken air conditioners. Having the service did early (in the spring) can head off these problems. This way you can be sure that your AC will work all summer and you won’t be stuck with out cool air when the dog days of summer hit.
3. Keep Your Air Conditioner Working Longer.
Catching small problems early and catching big problems early can keep your machine working for much longer. Screws come loose, connections get knocked out of place, wires fray and burn out and fans and belts break. Keeping up with these micro issues prevents them from ballooning into huge issues.
Tips for Choosing Air Conditioner Service Providers:
1. Certification/Licenses.
In your search for top-notch service provider, you will want someone who has all of the necessary and state required certifications and licenses. When speaking with a provider in person, ask to see if they follow the National Air Duct Cleaning Association’s (NADCA) specific standards, as this is a sign of higher quality. Depending on which state you live in, there may be different requirements for certification, so be sure to compare and contrast several companies.
2. Experience.
The second thing to look for in a provider is experience in the field of air conditioning. When you hire a technician to work on your unit, you want to be certain that they have specific training to deal with your equipment. Not all air conditioning units are the same and as such, not all technicians will be skilled in handling certain models. Be sure to ask this question of a service provider before they send a technician to your home, which can potentially waste your time and money. In general, the more years a person has spent working with AC units, the more knowledge they will have for troubleshooting and repairs.
3. Reputation.
Perhaps an obvious tip, a company’s reputation cannot be overlooked. Be weary of reviews provided by the company itself, as these can often be exaggerations. The best way to learn about a company’s reputation is to ask for reviews from current customers. You can also do searches online to read reviews and ask friends and family for help or recommendations.
4. Quotes.
Before you sign any contracts with a service provider you should ask for clear and detailed quotes for all standard air conditioning maintenance. You can get estimates and quotes from several companies to find the best deal and to see who may be trying to take advantage of you. You should always get these quotes in writing and with signatures so that when the time comes for repairs or replacements, you can refer back to the original quotes.
5. Customer service.
The final tip for selecting the best service provider is to gauge the level of customer service. This includes every aspect of the business, from the person answering your phone calls to the technician who comes to your home. Everyone should be professional in demeanor and treat you with courtesy and respect. Any questions you ask should be met with informed and comprehensible answers.
If you notice any ice build-up on the hoses you can be sure that this is a good sign that things are not working properly and it is certainly time to call in an air con repair service. You can be pretty sure that you have nipped the problem in the bud if you have noticed ice build-up but the system is still cooling your home. The cost of the air con repair service will be far less in this instance when compared to a system that has ice build-up and is not cooling your home at all. The air con repair technician service you hire will be able to ascertain the problem, and it might be something as minor as simply replacing a part. Better that than the system totally breaking down.
Another tell-tale sign that your Air Conditioner is in need of an air con repair service is if it keeps on running. If you see that your system remains on and never switches off you need to have it adjusted. If you fail to do so, you will soon discover that your monthly energy bills will rise considerably. Also, when the system behaves like this, you can rest assured that it will break down sooner or later.
There are times when the Air Conditioner is running but there is simply no cooling taking place at all or, alternatively, it is simply refusing to switch on. You will now have to choose between an air con repair service and a replacement system. While you might be inclined to shy away from the expense of the latter option it is important to bear in mind that it might save you money in the long run. One thing is for sure; you will notice the decline in your energy bills almost immediately if you decide to replace the system with a new one. To avoid all these mishaps, however, be sure to have your Air Conditioner routinely serviced.