How Regular Residential AC Maintenance Can Lower Your Energy Bill

For homeowners, a functional air conditioning (AC) system is an integral part of keeping your home comfortable and safe during the hottest months of the year. But the efficiency of your AC does more than just benefit your home—it also helps to protect your wallet. A cooling system which has to fight against leaks, lacking or compromised insulation, high ambient temperatures or other issues will have to use more energy to impact your home’s climate. As such, your energy bill may rise significantly. 

The best way to keep your air conditioner in optimal condition? Regular residential AC maintenance. During these home HVAC tune-ups, professional technicians—like those on our team at Optimum Air Solutions—will look for existing or potential issues in your AC system. Then, we will clean and make any necessary repairs to your air conditioner, ensuring that it is fully capable of protecting both you and your home during heat waves.

What Causes a Decrease in AC Energy Efficiency?

While some signs of a clogged or compromised AC may be relatively obvious, like overly dusty vents or holes in attic ductwork, other causes of decreased energy efficiency may be less so. Some things which may negatively impact your AC’s functionality include:

• Filters which are clogged with dust and other debris. If too much gunk accumulates on your AC’s filters, it can make it difficult for air to circulate through your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system.
• Dirty evaporator and condenser coils. In a fully functional AC system, the refrigerant in evaporator coils cools the air passing over it, while condenser coils allow refrigerant to release the heat absorbed from inside your home. If these coils are dirty, the refrigerant will not be able to effectively cool itself or the indoor air.
• Refrigerant leaks. If there is not enough refrigerant in your unit, your system will likely find it difficult to efficiently absorb and release heat. 
• Ductwork leaks. Holes and loose or detached seams and seals allow air to leak out of your ductwork, forcing your AC to work harder to make up for the loss. 
• Lacking or compromised insulation or ventilation. If both or either of these components are compromised, your home may trap heat in summer and lose it more quickly in winter.
• Cool air leaching out—and hot air coming in—through holes in your walls or roof, gaps in your doors or window, or any other compromised areas in your home.

Of course, not every efficiency issue is something that can be fixed with a quick repair, including:

• Long-term lack of maintenance
• Age. The older your unit is, the less efficient it will become. 
• Your AC’s seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating. SEER indicates how much energy your unit will use when cooling your home; the higher the rating, the more efficient the unit will be. If your unit has a lower rating, you may want to consider replacing it in order to improve your AC’s performance.
• AC sizing. An AC which is too small will likely strain itself while attempting to cool your home, while units which are too large will likely lower the temperature too quickly, causing them to run in shorter cycles. This may also keep larger units from properly dehumidifying your home. Both circumstances may place undue stress on your cooling system, leading to increased wear-and-tear and breakdowns.

How AC Technicians Care For Your Unit During Maintenance Visits

Preventative AC maintenance is a series of regular inspections performed with the intent of catching problems early, preventing breakdowns and extending the lifespan of your cooling system. During maintenance visits, AC technicians will likely handle tasks including:

• Replacing air filters
• Cleaning evaporator and condenser coils
• Checking condensate drain pans and lines. These AC components, which collect and drain the moisture which drips off of evaporator coils, can become clogged or damaged. This may cause issues including leakages, increased humidity levels, and mold and mildew growth.
• Removing debris from your outdoor AC unit
• Inspecting your ductwork and electrical connections for damage
• Lubricating moving parts to prevent friction and breakdowns
• Making sure that your refrigerant levels aren’t too low and your refrigerant lines aren’t leaking
• Calibrating your thermostat to ensure that it is reading your home’s internal temperature correctly, which prevents your AC from working too hard or too little to cool your home.
• Examining other AC components, such as blower fan blades, for any issues

When to Schedule Residential AC Maintenance

So, you know that you need to arrange residential AC maintenance, but when—and how often—should you schedule it? The answer may depend on factors including the age and usage rates of your unit, whether your AC seems to be experiencing issues, and the work that needs to be done. Tasks such as filter replacements, for example, should be performed every few months, but property owners can do this on their own. Comprehensive maintenance visits, on the other hand, should generally be scheduled at least once per year, though preferably twice, in order to make sure your system continues to run smoothly. Consider arranging these appointments in spring and/or fall in order to prepare for the summer heat and winter chill. 

Improve Your Home’s Energy Efficiency and Lower Your Energy Bills with Optimum Air Solutions

Preventative AC maintenance does more than just keep your home cool and comfortable during the hottest months of the year, though that is no small thing. It also ensures that your AC is as energy efficient as possible, allowing your system to function at optimal levels and lowering your energy bill. In short, while maintenance may seem like an unnecessary expense if your AC is not suffering from any obvious issues, this prevention of larger problems actually serves to save you money in the long-term.

When you work with Optimum Air Solutions, you get more than your everyday HVAC service. Instead, you get a team of highly qualified technicians familiar with a wide range of AC brands and models, allowing us to effectively work on most any unit. With over 20 years of experience, personalized maintenance plans that include two inspections per year, and an emergency line available 24/7, it is our goal to provide the services you need as quickly and skillfully as possible. 

Ready to schedule a residential AC maintenance appointment? Just give us a call or send us a message today.