Improve your indoor air quality easily and in seconds, cut costs to your electric bill, and improve your comfort and peace of mind today.

Nobody knows endless summers like Americans, especially the west, midwest, and southeast. That’s why at least 90% of households have some form of air conditioning, a national feat only surpassed by Japan on the world stage.

But while most folks in America and other first-world nations accept that they’ll need a powerful and reliable air conditioner (AC) in their home both year-round and for those hot, blazing days in mid-August, they may not realize the importance of keeping indoor air clean the rest of the time.

With regular AC maintenance and upkeep, you can breathe easy knowing your air conditioning system is both safe for the whole family and ready for those humid days when the thermostat hits the 90s but feels more like the 100s.   

Air Conditioning Repair and HVAC Facts

Everyone with an AC or heating, ventiliation and cooling system (HVAC) knows that a day will come when the unit will have to be inspected, maintained, repaired, or even replaced. It’s a fact of life when it comes to owning and benefiting from the mechanical equipment that has grown to be an almost-necessary part of our existence in the U.S.

But there’s no need to be daunted or to put such an important maintenance task off, and you can even do some of the easister maintenance tasks yourself, like changing your air filter. After reading this, you’ll have a much better understanding of what to pay attention to most when protecting the life of your AC.

Common Problems Affecting Your Air Conditioning System

Both residential and commercial AC units break down over time and experience these common issues:

• Dirt, debris and clogged components: Fan blades must be able to spin freely in order to keep air flowing and reduce the overall stress, strain, and load on your motor. Blocked pumps often mean refrigerant and condenser leaks, which result in corrosion, rust, and mildew. Frozen and clogged coils can also lead to reduced cooling power, overall airflow, or global AC failure.
• Thermostat malfunction: A faulty thermostat can cause your unit to begin short-cycling, or constantly turning on and off, as well as failing to display accurate temperature readings, and improper temperature settings. 
• Electrical problems: Because air conditioning units require a lot of electrical power, it’s possible to blow a breaker. Over time, recurring electrical issues can damage your compressor.

HVAC repair and maintenance may only go so far, however. If you’ve had your current system for more than a decade or two, or if you bought a used home that hasn’t been regularly maintained, replacing your AC might be your best option.

Does Your Home Need an Annual A/C or HVAC Inspection?

Yes, it absolutely does!

The heating, cooling, and ventilation systems in your home should be thoroughly analyzed to inspect all the moving parts that will be up against more record-breaking temperatures and will have to stand a real test of mechanical endurance over time.

A number of your home’s major systems, such as the electrical and gas lines, are also connected to your HVAC system. If you don’t do preventive maintenance on your HVAC system for many years, it can get run down and become less safe to use.

The best way to keep your unit operating at peak efficiency is to have it inspected and repaired once a year, if needed. Preventive maintenance makes your system work better, last longer, and be more efficient, giving you the best overall value for your money, regardless of your unit type. 

But don’t think you have to do it all yourself, because sometimes it’s best to just delegate complex maintenance tasks to the trades.

It’s a great idea to do some consumer research into HVAC companies in your area that will offer you a free inspection by one of their skilled technicians. From there, they might offer you an annual maintenance plan or offer to fix any broken parts. Always ask if you can sleep on any buying decision, and accept their free offer graciously, but be firm.

What’s the Best Air Conditioning System for Your Home?

There are different types of AC systems that could lower your temperatures and your monthly bill:

• Central A/C: Air is cooled at a central location in the home and distributed out to various rooms through a network of ducts, powered by a compressor.
• Heat Pump: Two-way reversible pumps work to import cool air from outside on warmer days and bring in heat during colder ones.
• Ductless: These stand-alone units are smaller and more inexpensive, often reducing strain on your central air system while providing much needed relief to hard-to-cool spaces of your home.

Using a combination of all types can often result in a better overall cooling system design that is individually tailored to your needs. 

Conclusion: Preventative AC and HVAC Maintenance Benefits for Your Home or Office

Ok, it’s true: Japan has more AC units per household than the U.S., but nowhere near as extensive, since many of their units are ductless wall-mounted units. Don’t ask me how I know. I still have a gym membership card for Osaka in my wallet.

Knowing this, air conditionging is practically indispensable to American life, much of which is based on an impressive central air system configuration.

So, what type of AC or HVAC system is in your home? Let’s hope it’s a cold one.

And for the sake workplace productivity if you want to maximize success for your staff as a business owner, you had better ensure your employees can either work remotely or they have plenty of adequate AC and airflow. It’s a big reasons why offices get stuffy.

Though, it is only one reason.

Frequently Asked Questions: Air Conditioning System Repair and Maintenance