How Do I Know When To Get AC Serviced?

Whether you love the summer for its shorts and tee-shirt weather or loathe it for its sticky humidity, your AC unit is your best friend, making any outdoor temperature bearable. Controlling your indoor climate allows you to protect your plants from withering and your pets and family from heat exhaustion and other heat-related illnesses. But what if your AC breaks down on a 90-degree day?

The most important thing is to know when to get your AC serviced, which keeps it functioning and efficient. At Professional Services, your quality air conditioning repair services in Port Washington and surrounding Washington Counties, we’ve spent the last 15 years extending our community’s units past their usual 10- to 15-year lifespan. Follow our tips below to make your unit one of them. 

Regular Maintenance for Year-Round Smooth Running 

As we’ve said, ACs typically last well over a decade. However, not completing regular maintenance leads to malfunctioning parts and premature deterioration, forcing you to purchase a new, pricey system. 

Instead, call us for semi-annual checkups. We’ll examine your furnace or heating system in the fall, before extensive use in the winter, and your cooling system in the springtime, preparing for Port Washington’s summer temperatures. However, with your intricate system’s many components, things may go wrong in between maintenance calls, requiring an immediate fix.

Are There Any Preventative Methods I Can Take at Home? 

Maintain Optimal Airflow

Your AC works hard to produce the temperature at which you set your thermostat, but if something is blocking your quality air, your system burns more energy and runs longer to create a cooler climate. That raises your energy bills and takes a toll on your unit. 

Since dust, dander, and dirt float around in our air and the unit sucks in surrounding air before cooling it, this debris passes through and sticks to your air filters. Therefore, change or clean your air filters at least every three months. If you have pets or live in an area with high pollution levels, change it more frequently to place less stress on your unit. 

Cleaning Your Condenser Area

Your condenser unit is the outdoor portion of your system that comes in contact with the elements daily. Not only does it experience more dirt and dust buildup than your indoor unit, but pieces of branches, rocks and pebbles, mold and mildew from stagnant water, and overgrown shrubs find their way inside. The debris clogs the drain line and other unit parts, blocking airflow. 

Rodents, such as mice and squirrels, birds, and insects, can find their way into the unit, turning it into their shelter. While nests and waste clog the system, infestations become a more considerable concern when critters bite into wires and other equipment. Alleviate this concern by clearing the area around your unit and knowing when to get your AC serviced. 

Pay Attention to Unusual Behavior 

Is your system running differently from before? Sometimes, the best thing to do at home is simply look out for unusual behavior. When you notice any of the following, call to service your air conditioner promptly:

• Unusual noises: Weird sounds outside the usual low hum, including clanking, banging, or rattling, indicate a broken or loose part that slows your unit down.
• Short cycling: If your AC is powering on and off frequently, your unit may be inadequately sized, have frozen coils, or have another mechanical concern.
• Warm or no air: A refrigerant leak, a failing motor, or a clogged condenser drain are primary culprits for lacking cool air.
• Other concerns: Refrigerant or water leaks, constant running, higher utility bills, and ice formations, to name a few.

What Happens During a Maintenance Check?

Alongside knowing when to get your AC serviced, you should be aware of what happens during a maintenance check. 

Lubrication 

Your air conditioner has multiple moving parts, including the motor, compressor, and fan belt. Keep them running smoothly and prevent them from grinding together and destroying the equipment by having a professional lubricate these gadgets. They’ll also clean the grease and other dirt from all unit parts.

Optimizing Airflow

Although you should clean your air filters regularly, a specialist examines them during the maintenance check to ensure optimal airflow. They’ll also inspect the ductwork to guarantee no air is seeping through cracks and holes and out of your home alongside the blower and condenser.

Checking Refrigerant Levels

Your refrigerant should last as long as your AC unit, but on rare occasions, a leak may cause your refrigerant levels to diminish drastically. Since your refrigerant cools the air as the air passes over the condenser coils and redistributes excess warm air outdoors, a lack of refrigerant limits coolness. A professional can recharge your refrigerant levels to prevent this from happening. 

Emptying the Condensate Drain

The air conditioner’s evaporator coil produces moisture that travels to the outdoor unit and into the condensate drain. However, when the AC is not in use, the water in the drain becomes stagnant, which attracts bugs and insects, clogs the system, and leads to dangerous mold and mildew growth. HVAC services include emptying and cleaning the drain for your unit’s health and family’s safety.

Electronic Tests

Your specialist runs tests to examine the circuits and wiring, especially if your system is short cycling or refusing to start. They’ll also check your thermostat to ensure accurate readings. If the thermostat isn’t functioning correctly, they’ll recalibrate it, check the wiring, or consider replacing the batteries. 

Never Settle for Less Than the Professionals

Alongside knowing when to get your AC serviced, the best way to save your money is by knowing who to call for honest and efficient services. The team at Professional Services provides heating, cooling, geothermal, and generator replacements, repairs, and installations. We also offer a money-back guarantee on all products and services. 

For a better understanding of evaporator coils and all other AC parts, call Professional Services at 262-218-2636 in Port Washington and the surrounding areas for award-winning service today!