White Plains, NY Professional AC Tune-Up Services
There is good reason to be concerned if your air conditioning system isn’t cooling your home sufficiently or is making strange noises. Before selecting a new air conditioning unit to meet your air conditioning needs, you can consider having the AC tuned up first. Sometimes, all it takes is a little maintenance to have it running like new again. A professional can inspect all the parts and pieces of your unit and figure out what is wrong.
Air conditioning units last about ten years before it has to be replaced and after that, it should be serviced once a year to keep them running for a long time. Of course, if your unit has not reached the 10-year mark, have a professional take a look at it before you spend the money to replace it.
Why is an AC tune-up necessary?
The HVAC system coupled with the air conditioning unit has many parts that can wear out over time. When it comes to these devices, procrastination is never the solution. The solution is to take action immediately. This way you will prevent days and weeks without a working and stable air conditioner. All that is required is for a service expert to do what is called an AC tune-up, once a year.
During the inspection they will:
- clean or replace the air filter
- Search for any leaks or cracks
- remedy any safety hazards
- clear the space in and around the unit from dirt and debris
- clean and straighten the coils and coil fins
- check the refrigerant levels
- recalibrate the thermostat if needed
These maintenance actions can help extend the life of an AC unit and make issues less frequent. AC systems, like cars, need to undergo periodic maintenance to continue running at peak performance. There may be an increase in your energy bills, along with inconsistent temperatures, and more frequent issues if you neglect regular tune-ups.
Because air conditioners don’t get much use until temperatures rise during the summer, you might not know there is a problem with yours until you turn it on for the first time at the beginning of the season. This is why it is recommended that you inspect your air conditioning system in the spring before you need to use it regularly. Moving on without air conditioning when you need it the most is terrible at best and dreadful at worst—especially for the more susceptible population.
Do I need a tune-up or a total replacement?
If you aren’t an expert on air conditioning, you probably won’t know when a unit just needs some attention, or if it may be time for a replacement. Air conditioning professionals can help determine if your unit is faulty or broken. See the following list to help you decide if a total replacement is in order or you may just need a tune-up.
The thermostat isn’t working
Sometimes what you think is a problem with your air conditioning unit is a problem with your thermostat’s wiring or calibration. To help figure out the problem, call a professional who can recalibrate the thermostat.
Inconsistent temperatures throughout the home
If your house does not cool down evenly throughout, you may not be able to accurately determine the cause without an inspection. Your upper level is always going to be hotter than your lower one because of heat rising. However, if the differences in the temperatures are drastic, it can be a sign that there’s an issue with your ductwork, vents, or air filters.
Bad smells or noises
An immediate service call is required any time you hear noises coming from the AC unit. There could be a broken or loose part that needs to be repaired before it can cause even more damage. There are times when such issues can be repaired easily and there are times when the whole unit needs a replacement already. Burnt wires or mold in ductwork can lead to bad smells.
The inspection of the AC unit will reveal the source of the problem. Sometimes all it takes is a cleaning or a repair to fix the problem.
Leaks
Leaks from air conditioning units are bad indications of potential faults. It is usually expensive to fix any kind of problem-related to leaking, whether it is water from the condenser or refrigerant leaking from the lines. When an older unit is nearing the end of its operational life, it would be financially wise to replace it over footing the bill for another repair.
High energy bills.
Generally higher than typical heating bills implies the cooling unit is working harder than it needs to accomplish ideal temperatures. Fortunately, if your air conditioner is younger than ten years of age and you have not had a service, now may be the time to get one. Calling in a professional will be able to get the job done for you and offer you all sorts of valuable tips for the future.
In case the unit is old or recently serviced, it’s quite possible that it has gotten too old and requires replacement. When it is inspected by a professional then this will help in determining if it needs a replacement already. If the unit does need to be replaced, a professional can provide you with options.