Air conditioning is crucial for many homes during the sweaty summer months in Indianapolis. However, the costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Find how scheduled air conditioning service can reduce AC repair costs, and learn energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll have a comfortable home this summer without emptying your wallet.
What Routine AC Service Entails
Air conditioning maintenance is a low-cost, predictable yearly bill that pays you back by shrinking repair costs and lengthening your unit’s life span. Here are some significant maintenance steps that help avoid air conditioner breakdowns:
- Swap out the air filter: A dirty filter slows down airflow and forces your air conditioner to work harder, utilizing more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Exchanging your air conditioner's dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your annual maintenance visit, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, encourages optimal airflow and efficiency.
- Clean the evaporator coil: The indoor evaporator coil can become covered in dirt and dust over time, reducing its ability to absorb heat. This can cause the refrigerant inside of the coil to freeze, stopping your air conditioner from operating effectively. Cleaning the coil takes away this insulating layer and will make it easier for the refrigerant to perform this essential function.
- Clean the condenser coil: The exterior condenser coil lets out heat taken in by the refrigerant. If it’s covered with cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is weakened. Cleaning the condenser coil increases the unit’s efficiency substantially, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could cause breakdowns.
- Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, cutting down on the airflow and negatively affecting your air conditioner's performance. Correcting the fins with a fin comb returns51 them to their original position to regain proper airflow.
- Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving elements generates heat and causes unnecessary wear and tear. Routine lubrication diminishes friction, ensuring smooth operation and lowering the need for repairs.
- Examine refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another reason why your AC can freeze up, resulting in longer run times, comfort problems and preventable AC repairs. A technician uses special tools to investigate and adjust refrigerant levels as needed to assure proper performance and prevent a mid-season breakdown.
Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs
Once-a-year maintenance is an important factor in reducing AC repair charges, but here are some other ideas to help your AC unit operate reliably all summer long:
- Turn the temperature up: Raising the temperature on the thermostat setting curbs the wear and tear on your cooling system. Pick a comfortable temperature and avoid lowering the temperature.
- Use a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps manage your home’s temperature in a more efficient manner, reducing the strain on your AC unit. An effective technique is to set setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save on energy costs and further alleviate wear and tear.
- Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around windows and doors permit warm, humid air inside. Apply caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overloading your air conditioner.
- Add insulation: An appropriate attic insulation level encourages consistent indoor temperatures and will reduce your AC’s workload. If you can observe the attic floor or joists poking through the insulation you already have in your home, add more.
- Prevent solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing the demand on your AC system. Putting in window coverings and drawing the blinds or shades during the hot afternoon blocks solar heat gain and lowers the danger of a mid-season breakdown.
- Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect created by ceiling fans makes a room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which allows you to raise the thermostat setting without losing comfort. It’s a good idea to switch the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
- Use a dehumidifier: For those who reside in a humid part of North America, elevated humidity levels can make your home feel cool but clammy, causing you to lower the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier takes away excess moisture, giving your air conditioning a much-needed break.
- Make sure your vents are not obstructed123: Closed or blocked air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which may cause your air conditioning to break down. To avoid this, keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs unintentionally block airflow. Improve circulation further by keeping interior doors open as much as possible.
- Invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your AC unit is more than 10 years old, start thinking about upgrading to a more energy-efficient design. In addition to improved efficiency, a new system is also far less likely to break down or experience maintenance issues than an older unit, lowering your repair costs in the long run.
Schedule AC Service in Indianapolis
By investing in scheduled air conditioning maintenance and following other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with reduced repair costs this summer. Broad Ripple Service Experts offers top-notch air conditioning tune-ups to maximize efficiency and extend your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.