Spring into Comfort: Why Now is the Ideal Time for Your AC Tune-Up to Prep for Summer Weather

Summer is approaching fast. Is your air conditioning ready for a long season?

Your home’s air conditioning is a crucial part of your comfort when the temperatures start to rise. If it hasn’t been serviced in a while, you could be dealing with uneven heating, warm air blowing, or worse, a full breakdown in the middle of the dog days.

The best time to tune-up your AC is before the summer hits – right now. Since 2006, JW Plumbing, Heating and Air has been the go-to for AC repairs and maintenance in the Los Angeles area. Here’s why you should schedule an AC tune-up now to prep for summer weather.

What Is an AC Tune-Up?

 

An air conditioning tune-up, or air conditioning maintenance, is a comprehensive professional inspection and maintenance service. Like getting a car tune-up, AC tune-ups involve checking over every component of your AC for wear or damage to ensure it’s ready to tackle the hot summer season.

Why Do I Need an AC Tune-Up Before Summer?

Though Los Angeles has warm weather most of the year, the summer can bring heat that adds stress to your AC and can lead to repairs or a breakdown. A tune-up is important to ensure that your AC is operational before summer, but there are other benefits.

Optimal Performance

The main benefit of AC tune-ups is ensuring that your system is operating at its best for hot summer days. Though ACs can take a beating, over time, the unit accumulates dust, dirt, and debris that can harm its efficiency.

Tune-ups involve cleaning the evaporator coils, condenser coils, air filters, and other components to allow the system to operate at its maximum capacity. In return, you get optimal cooling performance and energy efficiency.

Extended Lifespan

Air conditioning systems aren’t cheap, but they can last over a decade with proper care. However, if you neglect your AC, you could have major repairs or breakdowns long before you should. Wear and tear over time can take a toll, leading components to fail early or your entire system to malfunction.

A professional tune-up is key to maximizing your AC’s lifespan. When the individual components are cared for properly, the system is under less stress and can perform as it should.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is an important consideration for many homeowners. You want your home comfortable, but not at the cost of unnecessarily high energy bills from a system that’s losing efficiency.

If you neglect your AC, it has to work much harder to cool your home, consuming more energy in the process and raising your energy costs. AC maintenance keeps your system in top form so that it can operate at peak efficiency.

Consistent Comfort

Your air conditioner’s main job is to keep your home cool and dry at the temperature you prefer. When your system doesn’t have the maintenance it needs, you can experience warm air blowing out of the vents, uneven cooling that leaves some rooms hot and some cold, or other issues that compromise your comfort.

Professional tune-ups evaluate every aspect of your AC’s operation, including the consistency of cooling, the temperature distribution, and more, ensuring that you have comfortable temperatures in every room.

Repair Prevention

When ACs break down, it’s often at inconvenient times – typically on the hottest days. Emergency repairs are expensive and may be difficult to schedule, so you will need to deal with a hot, muggy home until the problem can be fixed.

This is where maintenance shines. With a thorough inspection, your AC technician can identify minor problems before they become major repairs or breakdowns. You have the benefit of time to schedule the repairs at the time it’s most convenient, rather than rushing to get an emergency appointment (and paying a higher bill).

Improved Indoor Air Quality

Your AC does more than cool your home – it impacts your indoor air quality. If you don’t take care of your air filters, however, all the pollutants in your home like allergens, dust, and pet dander only end up circulating in the air.

AC tune-ups include cleaning or replacement of your air filters – depending on which type you have – to ensure they are preventing common contaminants from ending up in your system. You want clean, fresh air no matter what, but this is vital if you or your family members struggle with allergies, respiratory conditions, or other health problems.

Warranty Requirements

Some air conditioners come with manufacturer warranties that cover repairs or replacements. While this is great for your investment and peace of mind, there are requirements for warranties to ensure you’re covered. Often, that includes regular maintenance from a qualified professional.

There are some tasks you can do yourself, such as replacing or cleaning the air filter, but keeping up with regular maintenance from an AC professional is important for your warranty requirements. It’s important to protect your warranty by sticking to the recommended maintenance schedule.

Eco-Consciousness

Homeowners are more and more concerned with sustainable and eco-friendly home appliances and systems. This is not only valuable for energy efficiency and saving money but protecting the environment.

Neglected air conditioners work harder and consume more energy, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions. Tune-ups help you maintain your AC’s efficiency, save on your energy bills, and reduce your environmental impact.

Tips for DIY AC Tune-Ups

 

You should schedule a professional AC tune-up from a qualified AC technician before summer starts, but there are some things you can do before and during the season to ensure your system is performing at its best.

Change or Clean the Air Filter

As mentioned, the air filters are an important part of keeping your AC running clean and improving indoor air quality. When your air filter gets dirty or clogged, pollutants like dust and pet dander can get into your system. Make sure you inspect your air filter every few months, cleaning or replacing it as needed.

Clear Debris Around the Unit

The outdoor unit of your air conditioner requires proper airflow to operate. During fall, winter, and spring, yard debris or plants can accumulate around the unit, restricting the airflow. Clean up debris around your outdoor unit and trim back foliage to allow a free flow of air.

Check the Drain Line

The drain line – or condensate line – runs along the side of the air conditioning unit and drains the condensation that builds up. If the line becomes blocked, the air conditioner can leak water. Check over your drain line regularly to see if there are holes, cracks, or clogs that can cause leaks. Make sure to schedule any necessary repairs as soon as you can.

What’s Involved in a Professional AC Tune-Up?

A professional AC tune-up from an AC technician goes far beyond the tasks you can do on your own. Here’s what you can expect from an AC tune-up:

• Thermostat check: Malfunctioning thermostats can cause problems like warm air or inconsistent cooling. A tune-up includes testing, inspection, and calibration of your thermostat to ensure everything is accurate.
• Evaporator coil inspection: The evaporator coil absorbs the heat from your home, but it can be compromised if it’s dirty, leaking, or frozen. A tune-up includes an inspection of your evaporator coil to check for problems.
• Drain pan inspection: Drain pans collect excess moisture and need to be kept clean and clear. Your AC tune-up will also include an inspection of the drain pan to make sure it’s in good condition.
• Blower motor inspection: The blower motor pulls the hot air from inside your home and passes it over the evaporator coil. Your tune-up will include an inspection of your blower motor to make sure it’s functioning properly and can pull the heat from your home – an essential part of cooling.
• Condensate inspection: Your condensate drain line may need to be cleaned, repaired, or replaced to properly drain water and avoid leaks. A condensate inspection is part of an AC tune-up.
• Condenser unit inspection: Your condenser unit will need to be inspected to ensure that it’s level, in good condition, and without damage, as any issues with the unit or its components can affect your system’s operation.
• Outdoor unit cleaning: A tune-up includes a thorough cleaning of the condenser blower fan and the inside of the unit to remove dirt and debris that built up over winter.
• Refrigerant charge test: The refrigerant charge is an important part of your AC’s operation. Your tune-up will include a test of the refrigerant charge to ensure it’s at the proper level and not leaking.

How Often Should I Have an AC Tune-Up?

Ideally, AC tune-ups should happen at least once a year to prepare for summer. This gives you time to get any repairs or replacements done before your system has to go to work, rather than in the middle of the hot season.

Though it’s an extra expense, keep in mind that AC tune-ups are much cheaper than a repair or breakdown – especially with an emergency appointment – and a cost-effective way to ensure your system is operating at its best.

Prepare for Summer Cooling

Now is the best time to get your AC ready for the summer heat. When you’re ready, contact us at JW Plumbing, Heating and Air to schedule your appointment!