How a Spring AC Tune-Up can Make a Big Difference in Your Cooling System

Spring is the best time of the year to get a tune-up for your air conditioner. Taking care of routine maintenance before you actually need to cool your home ensures that there won’t be any problems. It’s also an easier time to schedule a tune-up. HVAC companies can get busy once the temperatures rise and homeowners begin using their air conditioning daily. During our service visit, we’ll inspect every part of your AC. We’ll lubricate all of the moving parts, change the filter, and perform many other tasks so that your system is ready for summer.

What an AC Tune-Up Includes

Many crucial parts make up your air conditioning system. If any of these components isn’t functioning properly, your home won’t feel as comfortable as you would like. During your AC tune-up, we will check all of the important parts of your cooling system. Among the most commonly checked items is the condenser coil. Your cooling system uses refrigerant to soak up the heat energy from inside your house. Once the refrigerant reaches your outdoor condenser unit, it is in a hot gas form. The heat needs to escape into the air outside for the refrigerant to cool down to a liquid state and repeat the cooling process. And this is exactly what your condenser coils are responsible for. The condenser coil is housed in the outdoor component of your cooling system. Because it is outdoors, it is more susceptible to weather damage and can quickly become dirty. When this happens, the system will use more energy to operate. The result is higher energy bills. In addition, the air conditioner won’t work well if this portion of the system is dirty or damaged. Your home won’t be cool enough, and the humidity levels will rise. Additionally, if the condenser coil is poorly maintained, you may have to deal with a major breakdown. During your tune-up, we’ll also inspect the blower belt and motor. These two items are responsible for circulating the air within your home, which makes them essential. Because each of these is a moving part, it can experience more wear and tear than other components. During our maintenance visit, we’ll replace them if they are especially worn or damaged before they have a chance to break down. It’ll save you money to catch this problem early on rather than waiting and risking further damage to your central air conditioning. The wiring and connectors of your cooling system are also inspected during routine maintenance services. We can make sure that they’re in good condition. Common problems we may come across include frayed or loose wiring and pitted connectors. This damage can happen due to corrosion, vibration in the system, or temperature fluctuations. You won’t be able to see these issues by simply looking at your system. We find them when we take the unit apart during the tune-up.

Why Routine Maintenance is Important

Having an AC tune-up each spring provides you with several benefits when it comes to your air conditioner, your budget, and your comfort. You will find that your air conditioner runs more efficiently after a tune-up. This means that you’ll have lower monthly energy bills during those hot summer months, and you’ll be able to enjoy your desired temperature throughout your home. When homeowners take advantage of our routine maintenance, they experience fewer repairs throughout the cooling season. When we spot an issue during these maintenance calls, we can fix it before it turns into a bigger problem that will take time to repair, which could be inconvenient during the dog days of summer. Letting issues progress instead of repairing them also causes significant damage that may make the cooling system stop functioning. Repairing the AC once it reaches the point of no longer working will be much more costly. Our tune-up services can also provide you with better indoor air quality. Keeping all of the components of your system clean and repaired allows the AC to keep your home’s air as clean as possible. You’ll be able to notice more comfortable humidity levels, and you’ll have less dust after a service visit. Additionally, you may want to review your air conditioning system’s warranty. Many manufacturers require routine maintenance from a professional company in order for the warranty to remain valid. We provide homeowners with documentation after service visits that you can use to prove you have had the proper maintenance if you need to make a warranty claim. Scheduling a spring tune-up is a great investment to make in your home’s comfort. Keep in mind that a new air conditioning system is expensive. This costs much more than you’ll spend on routine maintenance. That routine maintenance will keep the system running correctly as well as extend the life of your cooling system.

Signs That Your AC Needs a Tune-Up

One of the most obvious signs that your air conditioner needs a tune-up is if you’re feeling warm air instead of cool air. You may begin to feel uncomfortable in your home. Homeowners have also described having varying temperatures as they move from one room to another, even when the thermostats for all areas are set the same. During your tune-up, we’ll address any issue that is causing hot spots in your home or resulting in warm air coming from your vents. Another indicator that your need a tune-up can be hearing unusual sounds coming from your AC. This can include a variety of noises. If you hear any of the following, it is definitely time for a tune-up.

• Banging
• Screeching
• Humming
• Buzzing
• Rattling
• Clicking
• Hissing
• Bubbling

While your AC system will make a certain amount of noise when running properly, these unusual noises can indicate problems ranging from a broken fan to a refrigerant leak. Weak airflow is another indication that you need routine maintenance. A fan clogged with dirt, a loose fan belt, or a malfunctioning motor are all possible reasons your airflow is weak. All of these issues cause the blower to malfunction. Another possible reason for inadequate airflow is a blockage in the ductwork of your home. Our technician will check that the blower is functioning correctly and that supply and return ducts are clear when they service your system.

Your AC Tune-Up Pros

Allbritten has been serving the residents of Fresno, CA since 1932. We take pride in providing excellent customer service and quality craftsmanship with every job. We install, maintain and repair cooling systems. In addition, we provide plumbing, indoor air quality, and home energy audit services. To keep up with your home’s HVAC upkeep, we welcome you to join our Guardian Maintenance Club. As part of this service, when it is time for an annual tune-up, our team will give you a call and set up an appointment. Club members also enjoy a discount on any HVAC repairs that may be needed. Contact us today to learn more!