HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU REALLY SERVICE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER?

It is the first hot day of the year. You turn on the air conditioner, hoping for instant cool relief. But then, what you get is warm air. That is frustrating.

Most likely, you never give much thought to your air conditioner until it malfunctions. Most house owners believe that air conditioners do not require any special attention unless something goes wrong. The truth is, most AC issues begin a long time before the system shuts down. 

That means you need to know when to service your air conditioner. This will help you avoid mid-summer stress. Read on to know more!

The general rule

Have your air conditioner professionally serviced at least once a year. Regular maintenance will help with:

• Identifying minor problems early
• Maintaining the parts clean
• Ensuring that the system is performing well before the peak season. 

The most appropriate season to service your air conditioning Calgary would be spring. This will prepare your unit for summer without the stress of excessive heat.

Key factors influencing service frequency

Not all houses have similar cooling requirements. You might require a more frequent service if:

• You keep your AC on all year round
• Your home has pets that shed a lot 
• You live in a dusty area
• Your system is over 10 years old.

Preventative maintenance is even more crucial in areas with varying weather patterns.

An annual service is usually sufficient if:

• You have a modern system
• It is used lightly. 

Do frequent check-ups if:

• Your unit is older
• It has more demanding work schedules (long summer or intense use).

Indicators that your AC will require a service soon

Call in case you observe:

• Warm or weak airflow
• Frequent cycling on and off
• Unusual smells or sounds
• Increased energy bills with no additional use.

Fix these problems at an early stage. You will avoid expensive repairs on the hottest days of the year.

The importance of routine AC service

It may be tempting to skip maintenance. Maybe you say that your AC doesn’t seem to have any issues. However, efficiency decreases over time due to:

• Accumulation of dust
• Deterioration of parts
• Low level of refrigerant. 

This leads to:

• Higher energy bills
• Reduced cooling power
• Hot and cold spots in the house
• Higher susceptibility to sudden breakdowns.

Periodic maintenance will keep your system in good operation. It will increase its service life, which will save you money over time.

What to do in between professional visits

Professional servicing is necessary. But you can take some basic measures on your own:

• Replace air filters after 1-3 months
• Clear debris and vegetation around the outdoor units
• Ensure that furniture does not obstruct vents
• Pay attention to new or strange sounds.

Such minor routines will ease the burden on your system and enable it to work more efficiently between service visits.

The bottom line

Service your air conditioner at least once every year. This is typically sufficient to maintain it as reliable and efficient. However, the frequency of maintenance depends on many things. They include use, age, and local conditions. 

Be proactive and inspect it frequently. This way, you will experience:

• Steady cooling
• Reduced energy bills
• Comfort throughout the summer.