If you want access to heating and cooling whenever you desire it, you need to make sure your HVAC system is in good shape. As the summer months approach, it’s important to have an air conditioning repair expert take a look at your AC to make sure there aren’t any problems. If your AC needs to be fixed, that can be taken care of before you have to sit in the sweltering heat. If you want to make sure the AC in your Minneapolis, MN, home stays in good shape year after year, here’s what you need to know about AC repair and maintenance.
Seasonal Maintenance
Arguably the most important thing you can do if you want your AC to stay in good shape is have seasonal maintenance done. Seasonal maintenance involves having somebody take a close look at your AC for problems, clean things up and replace any parts that need to be replaced.
If you’re planning on creating a seasonal maintenance schedule with your air conditioning repair company, you should have this maintenance done at least twice each year. The best times to have seasonal maintenance done are during the spring and during the fall, since these are the seasons where you use your HVAC system least. Plus, these seasons come right before the most demanding heating and cooling seasons.
In addition to this seasonal maintenance, you should also have your air conditioning repair expert take a more thorough look at your HVAC system every few years. You may want to have ducts cleaned and parts replaced to make sure things are running smoothly. However, you only need to do these things every few years so it isn’t necessary to make them a part of your seasonal maintenance.
Common Problems
Taking care of your AC starts with understanding what some of the most common reasons for air conditioning repair are. When you notice signs of a potential problem, it’s important to call an expert as soon as possible to make sure the problem is fixed before it causes an even bigger problem.
If the AC in your Minneapolis, MN, home is only blowing out warm air, chances are you’ve got a problem with airflow somewhere in your HVAC system. When an air filter becomes clogged or something else restricts airflow, it reduces the efficiency of your air conditioning.
Sometimes, you may hear a strange noise coming from your AC. While some noise is normal, you should call an air conditioning repair expert if you hear loud clanking or squealing noises; chances are these are the result of a bigger problem.
If your AC doesn’t seem to be keeping your home at the right temperature, you should check your thermostat to make sure it’s accurate. Fortunately, a thermostat is one of the easiest and most affordable things to replace in your HVAC system, so it won’t set you back too much if that’s what’s causing the problem.
Air Filters
Even if you’re not doing your best in terms of keeping up with maintenance, it’s still important to make sure your HVAC system always has a fresh air filter. As we mentioned previously, a clogged air filter can lead to inefficiency that causes your AC to blow warm air. However, leaving a dirty air filter in your HVAC system also affects indoor air quality in your home.
Air filters are designed to trap contaminants such as dust and pet dander before they reach your home and cause respiratory problems. When an air conditioning repair expert comes to your home for maintenance, they will change out your air filter to make sure it’s doing its job. However, chances are you should be changing your air filter more than once every six months.
While some people can get away with changing an air filter every six months or so, air conditioning repair experts recommend changing yours at least every three months unless you live alone. If you have pets, you may need to change your air filter as often as every month. Not only will this improve indoor air quality, it will help maintain the efficiency of your air conditioner.
When to Replace
As important as it is to keep up with repairs and maintenance, you also need to know when it’s time to throw in the towel and upgrade to a newer AC. While there are multiple ways to determine when it’s time for a new AC, the best thing you can do is have an air conditioning repair professional help you make the decision.
The first thing you need to understand is that ACs are only designed to last so long. In most cases, an AC unit will last somewhere between 10 and 15 years. Yours could last longer if you take good care of it, or it could die sooner if you don’t keep up with maintenance. In any case, this is a good starting point.
You should also replace your AC if you can’t justify the repair costs. If you’re going to spend close to what it would cost to replace your AC just to repair it, chances are you’re wasting money. Ultimately, it’s best to have an air conditioning repair expert take a look at your AC to make the call.
Get Help
If you want constant access to good heating and cooling, HVAC maintenance is a must. Unfortunately, it can be tough to know when it’s time to have work done and when you should replace your unit without the help of an expert.
When you need help with air conditioning repair or maintenance, Blue Ox Heating & Air has you covered. We’re proud to help people throughout Minneapolis, MN, keep their HVAC systems in great shape. If you need help with your air conditioner, give Blue Ox a call at (952) 213-3955.
