Living in Florida, it is common for us to run our A/C units for most of the year to stay cool. Extended use of your air conditioning can run up your electric bill quickly, even more so if the unit is not regularly maintained. Most HVAC companies offer service contracts – agreements where your system will receive routine checkups and repairs. Regular A/C maintenance is the best way to ensure that your unit is appropriately cared for, and you won’t be surprised by significant, unexpected repairs.
The most common issues that will arise if you do not service your A/C unit regularly are:
Dust and Debris Buildup
Failure of Component Parts (Compressors and Fans)
Water Leaks/Damage
Forgoing regular A/C maintenance will allow these issues to crop up, which can cause substantial problems for your unit. Here are the most common reasons why not taking advantage of yearly maintenance from an HVAC service company is likely to result in more headaches and costs in the long run.
Reduced Performance
The most obvious aspect to consider regarding your A/C maintenance is how effective the unit is at cooling your home. Failure to maintain the cleanliness and condition of your A/C units – such as allowing the buildup of dust and debris – will cause your unit to fail to reduce the temperature on hot summer days. Even if your house seems cool, different areas of the home might be cooling at different rates, wasting energy in some zones. Operating an overloaded system like this can also reduce the unit’s lifespan.
Poorly performing A/C units tend to stop and start much more often, resulting in a potentially annoying or distracting noise for your home or office.
Increased Costs
In addition to working overtime and failing to cool efficiently, the A/C unit will consume more energy and cost more money the longer it goes without servicing. Energy efficiency decreases when your system has to overcome dirty ducts or broken components.
Increased costs may also appear in the form of required repairs. Postponing maintenance means that any issues that would otherwise be caught and addressed early on could fester and lead to catastrophic problems. A service contract that provides annual checkups will pay for itself quickly if even one major issue is addressed and fixed before the entire A/C unit has to be replaced.
AC Manufacturer’s Warranty Voided
Most new A/C units come with a five or 10-year limited warranty, and this warranty will cover any broken components or issues arising from everyday use. However, most warranties also include language regarding the upkeep of the system.
If you buy and install a new HVAC system in your home and never perform yearly checkups, the warranty may be voided – which could cause the company to reject any future claim. Failing to care for your system and having your warranty voided is doubly a disaster; with proper care, the warranty would not need to be honored in the first place. But because of improper maintenance, the warranty may not be used when you need it the most.
Like most things in life, routine care and maintenance of your A/C unit will help keep it working at its full potential. Service plans are generally affordable and are essential for ensuring the new unit works efficiently for as long as possible.
Ocean Air takes pride in offering affordable, professional services that guarantee your A/C unit will give you maximum performance for many years. Call today for a checkup or assessment of your current HVAC unit.