Air conditioners are a blessing during the hot summer months, keeping your home cool and comfortable as temperatures rise outside. But without regular maintenance and tune-ups, they can run less efficiently, waste energy, and even break down prematurely.

Take a car, for example; when you go for a routine oil change, the mechanic also checks your other fluid levels, filters, belts, and parts of the car that influence its running. This is similar to what an HVAC Technician does during a routine maintenance check. They make sure everything runs the way it should and look for any signs of wear or distress that may cause a future problem.

A tune-up by a qualified technician can help ensure that your air conditioner will work all summer properly long and keep you cool when you need it most. Here are five reasons you should get your air conditioner tuned up before the cooling season.

Prevent breakdowns and emergency service

Summer is the busiest time of year for our HVAC team. Our team gets hundreds of calls from homeowners on the hottest days of the year because their air conditioners are not working, and they need it fixed immediately. Typically, what could have been prevented, is now an emergency.

If you have an air conditioner and aren’t sure when it was last serviced, make plans to. We can document the condition of your unit, and make recommendations as needed to ensure your unit is working as it should. Taking steps now will extend the life of your air conditioner and help to avoid emergency service.

Plus, if your unit is new, the manufacturer’s warranty may require annual maintenance to stay valid. If you purchased your furnace or air conditioner from Dave Jones, Inc., we provide a complimentary one-year check to ensure your investment continues to work exactly as it should.

Increase efficiency and save on energy bills

An air conditioner that’s running harder than it should be will use more electricity than one running efficiently. A tune-up can keep your unit running efficiently and help you save on energy costs every month.

Increase the lifespan of your air conditioner

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average air conditioner should last between 15-20 years. (https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/central-air-conditioning) This number assumes that your unit was properly installed by a trained professional and has regular maintenance.

Improve your indoor air quality

Spring and summer are tough months for allergy sufferers. Once the pollens enter the home, they can linger in the air. Your air conditioner circulates the air in your home and pushes it through an air filter. Your furnace air filter is the #1 best weapon to keep you breathing easy in your home this summer. Plus, there are many specialty air filters available, designed to capture even the smallest of particles.

Part of your air conditioner tune-up is checking the filter. They’re easy for a homeowner to forget about, but it makes a huge difference in your indoor air quality. An HVAC Technician can recommend how frequently your filter needs to be changed and provide options on upgrading if you’re interested. Plus, if you ask in advance, they can often bring a filter or filters when they perform the tune-up—saving you a trip and the hassle of finding a specific filter.

Annual maintenance is recommended by the EPA and EnergyStar

It’s not only HVAC companies that recommend annual maintenance. Both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and EnergyStar recommend it intending to avoid unnecessary replacements and reduce energy consumption. A/C tune-ups can be performed as soon as the outdoor temperate is 65 degrees, so there’s no need to wait until it’s hot to schedule and perform this service.

Ready to schedule your tune-up? Call or text your trusted local HVAC company to schedule yours before the summer heat is here.