Temperatures are pretty cool in our little corner of the world, when compared to other parts of the country—even in the spring and summertime. Still though, given how warm it does and can get, a fully functional air conditioner is absolutely essential for the season change. And now is the best time to arrange for maintenance for this system. Your Spokane, WA HVAC maintenance appointments should be scheduled twice a year: once for your cooling system and once for your heater.
Now, there are a couple maintenance jobs you can do on your own. For instance, you should change your air filter every 1-3 months depending on the level of contaminants in your home and depending on what type of air filter it is. But full, professional maintenance requires the services of a trained HVAC technician.
The Advantages of Pre-Season Maintenance
One of the most common questions that HVAC technicians get is, “Do I have to have maintenance every year? Can I skip it just this once?”
When it comes to the timing of your maintenance session, we generally recommend that it be done in the spring—prior to its period of heaviest use. But what’s more important than timing is consistency. It’s really important that you have maintenance done on an annual basis. So, no, you shouldn’t skip this spring.
Maintenance isn’t a “luxury service” for those who want to pay for it. It’s a preventive step in order to ensure the efficiency, longevity, and functionality of your air conditioner. Skipping this service puts your cooling system at higher risk of operational problems and potential premature shutdown. The benefits of regular maintenance for your AC, heat pump, or heating system is that you’ll lower its operational costs and help it last longer.
System Reliability: As we alluded to earlier, the biggest benefit of air conditioner maintenance is that the system is less likely to suffer a huge operational issue over the summer when you need it the most. A comprehensive system inspection from our HVAC technicians will uncover areas where stress on the system can easily lead to breakdowns. A thorough cleaning help remove potential functionality issues.
System Efficiency: The accumulation of wear and tear over the years creates more stress than necessary on the interior components of your air conditioner. This is particularly true for the blower motor. This results in higher energy bills for you, since your system will struggle to overcome the stress. By staying on top of regular AC maintenance, you system should be able to retain 95% of its efficiency rating throughout its entire lifespan.
System Longevity: Speaking of lifespan, a well-maintained air conditioner should last between 10-15 years before it requires replacement. Annual system maintenance helps your air conditioner give you the best return on your initial investment, since it will last as long as possible. Maintenance ensures your cooling system will be as prepared as possible for warmer temps, and able to function at its peak performance.
ACI Northwest is here to help with your home comfort needs or concerns. Please do not hesitate to contact us for helpful advice.