In the Orlando area, our air conditioners really have their work cut out for them! It has to be a top priority to take excellent care of them. In Central Florida, the hot and humid climate makes regular AC maintenance especially important to ensure your system can handle the demands of the region. Regular maintenance is essential for system longevity and efficiency. Regular AC maintenance involves a series of important tasks, such as cleaning, inspecting, and ensuring proper access to the unit, to keep the system running efficiently. Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling system failure and inefficiency, so addressing these issues through regular care is crucial. If you do that, you can have a system that functions well and stays efficient for many years. Nearly half of a home’s energy bills go to heating and cooling costs, making it even more important to maintain your system properly. What kind of care do air conditioners need? How often should they be serviced? We’ve got some helpful suggestions to keep your AC in great shape.
Introduction to Air Conditioning
Air conditioning systems are an essential part of daily life in Orlando, FL, where high temperatures and humidity levels can make indoor comfort a challenge. A well-functioning air conditioning system not only keeps your home cool but also helps regulate humidity, creating a healthier and more comfortable environment. The recommended indoor humidity level is between 30% and 50% to improve comfort. Regular air conditioning maintenance is key to ensuring your system operates efficiently and reliably, especially during the hottest months of the year. By understanding how your air conditioning system works and the importance of routine maintenance, you can keep your home comfortable, your energy bills manageable, and your system running smoothly for years to come.
Understanding Air Conditioning Needs
Every Orlando homeowner’s air conditioning needs are unique, but one thing remains constant: the importance of regular air conditioning maintenance. Knowing how your air conditioning system functions and recognizing when it needs attention can make a significant difference in your comfort and your wallet. Scheduling regular maintenance with a trusted air conditioning maintenance service helps catch minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs or major problems. This proactive approach ensures your air conditioning unit delivers peak performance, keeps your home energy efficient, and extends the lifespan of your system. In a climate like Orlando, FL, where air conditioning is used almost year-round, prioritizing maintenance is the smartest way to avoid unexpected breakdowns and keep your home cool and comfortable.
AC System Components
Your air conditioning system is made up of several important components that work together to keep your home cool and comfortable. The compressor, condenser coils, evaporator coils, and air filters each play a vital role in the system’s overall performance. Proper maintenance of these parts is essential for maintaining energy efficiency and preventing unexpected breakdowns. For example, keeping condenser and evaporator coils clean allows your system to cool air more efficiently, while regularly changing air filters with the right MERV rating helps improve indoor air quality and reduces strain on the system. Understanding how these components function and the importance of their upkeep can help you get the most out of your air conditioning system and enjoy reliable, efficient cooling all season long.
DIY Maintenance
We would never recommend that a homeowner open up their air conditioner and poke around inside it! You could easily injure yourself or damage the unit, and you would most certainly void your warranty. No, repairs and extensive maintenance must always be done by professionals. But there are some things you should be doing yourself!
First, there’s the air filter. Keeping this clean will prevent the air conditioner from having to work too hard to pull air through the system. It will maximize air circulation, so you won’t end up with the air conditioner overheating on the inside while your home’s temperature ends up uneven and inconsistent. Regularly inspecting the air filter is important to ensure it is not clogged and is functioning properly. Inspecting the filter is a simple example of a DIY maintenance task that can help keep your system running efficiently. Routine inspections of your HVAC system can help catch issues early, such as uneven cooling, which may result from a dirty or clogged filter. When changing air filters, Orlando home owners should consider local pollen and humidity levels to select the best filter for their needs.
Once a month is the usual recommendation for AC air filter changes. If you have pets who shed a lot or other causes of extra dust, do it more often. If you’re only using your AC occasionally, such as during early spring or late fall, you can do it less often. If you’re not sure how to do this, check your owner’s manual, or reach out to us with questions. During your routine inspections, check for warm air coming from the vents, which can indicate a problem needing professional attention. Also, listen for strange noises from your AC unit, as these can be a warning sign of underlying issues.
The other thing that you should keep clean is the outdoor unit. It can easily get caked with dust, dirt, and mud, or tangled in debris like leaves and grass. Rake the area, trim back plants, and gently hose the unit down. This helps ensure that the heat can dissipate easily from the condenser coils.
The Importance of Air Filters
When it comes to keeping your air conditioning system running efficiently, few things are as important as the humble air filter. Air filters are the first line of defense in maintaining both the performance of your air conditioning unit and the quality of the air you breathe indoors. Over time, dust, pollen, and other airborne particles can clog the filter, forcing your air conditioning system to work harder just to keep your home cool. Dirty coils and clogged filters force HVAC units to consume more electricity, which not only drives up your energy bills sometimes by as much as 15% but can also lead to reduced indoor air quality and put unnecessary strain on your HVAC system.
Regular air filter maintenance is a simple yet powerful way to keep your air conditioning unit operating at peak performance. Most experts recommend you change air filters every one to three months, depending on how often you use your system and factors like pets or local dust levels. In a place like Orlando, FL, where air conditioning is a must for much of the year, sticking to a routine maintenance schedule for your air filters is especially important. Regular inspections as part of preventive maintenance help ensure your system is always running efficiently and can identify issues before they become major problems. Clean air filters help prevent sudden system failures and reduce the risk of costly repairs, ensuring your air conditioning system is ready to handle the hot summer months. Regular tune-ups can save up to 15% on energy bills, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
When choosing air filters, Orlando home owners should select filters specifically suited for local conditions, such as high pollen and humidity levels, to ensure the best indoor air quality and system performance.
Beyond energy efficiency and system longevity, clean air filters play a big role in maintaining optimal indoor air quality. By trapping dust, allergens, and other particles, they help create a healthier environment something especially valuable for anyone with allergies or respiratory concerns. Regularly inspecting and replacing your air filters as part of your air conditioning maintenance service, including routine inspection, can help catch potential issues early, saving you money and hassle down the road.
Incorporating air filter maintenance into your regular tune ups and annual maintenance not only helps your air conditioning unit run more efficiently, but also extends its lifespan and keeps your energy costs in check. Additional benefits include improved comfort, priority scheduling, and peace of mind that come with proactive care. Whether you have a single air conditioning unit or a more complex HVAC system, making air filter care a priority is one of the easiest ways to ensure your system continues functioning correctly and keeps your home comfortable all year long. In Greater Orlando, where the climate puts extra demands on cooling systems, this simple step can make all the difference in maintaining optimal performance and avoiding unexpected repairs.
AC Tune Up
An AC tune-up is a thorough service designed to keep your air conditioning system functioning correctly and efficiently. During a tune-up, a professional technician will inspect electrical connections, check refrigerant levels, and verify thermostat settings to ensure everything is operating as it should. The service also includes cleaning key components like evaporator and condenser coils, which helps maintain energy efficiency and prevents minor issues from turning into costly repairs. An AC tune-up typically focuses on quick adjustments and inspections to ensure your unit is functioning correctly. In Orlando, FL, where air conditioning systems are in constant use, scheduling an annual tune-up is essential for maintaining peak performance and ensuring your system is ready to handle the demands of the hot, humid climate. Regular tune-ups not only improve indoor air quality but also help your system run more efficiently, saving you money on energy bills and repairs in the long run.
Professional Maintenance
An annual tune up is recommended for most air conditioning systems to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Once a year, an air conditioner should have a thorough check-up from a qualified HVAC technician, typically in the springtime. During a professional tune-up, your technician will clean all the components meticulously, check the amp draw on the compressor, perform a detailed inspection of all electrical connections, measure refrigerant levels, and clear the condensate drain to prevent blockages and water damage. They’ll lubricate moving parts to reduce friction and improve efficiency. The technician will also conduct comprehensive inspections of the overall equipment, including both indoor and outdoor units, to ensure safe operation. Inspections are a routine part of professional maintenance, helping to identify potential issues early. A standard air conditioning tune-up should take about 1 to 1.5 hours to complete. As part of the service, they will look for minor issues before they become major problems and recommend replacement of any worn components if necessary. If your system includes heating, the furnace will be inspected, and the thermostat will be checked for proper operation. Replacing an old HVAC system with an ENERGY STAR certified model can save nearly $140 annually, making it a worthwhile investment for long-term savings.
Additionally, the technician will inspect the duct system for leaks and ensure it is properly sealed to maintain efficiency and save on energy costs. Sealing and insulating the duct system helps prevent air loss and keeps your utility bills lower. In fact, sealing ducts can prevent 20 to 30 percent of lost air in HVAC systems, making it a highly effective step in improving overall efficiency. It is also important to prepare your home for an HVAC technician’s visit by ensuring the area around the system is clear and accessible.
Professional maintenance is especially important in Orlando due to high temperatures, which put extra stress on HVAC systems and make routine inspections crucial for efficiency and system lifespan. Annual failure costs can be substantially higher than routine maintenance costs for HVAC systems, so staying on top of regular check-ups can save you money in the long run. Techs are equipped with the skills and certifications necessary for emergency AC repairs. Emergency AC repair can occur at any time of day or night, ensuring that your system is restored promptly when issues arise. Professional maintenance also provides peace of mind, knowing your system is reliable and efficient. Customers often receive additional benefits such as priority scheduling, enhanced comfort, and membership perks through programs like the Comfort Club.
As part of our comprehensive home maintenance solutions, we also offer expert plumbing service to address all your plumbing needs alongside HVAC care.
There is a situation where once-a-year maintenance is not enough: if you have a heat pump. This system operates like an air conditioner and has almost all the same components, but it is reversible and can heat your home in the winter. That means it runs all year long, and needs twice-yearly maintenance.
Benefits of AC Maintenance
Regular air conditioning maintenance offers many benefits that go beyond just keeping your home cool. Proper maintenance can lead to significant cost savings by lowering energy bills and reducing the risk of costly repairs. It also plays a crucial role in improving indoor air quality, which is especially important for families with allergies or respiratory concerns. Using a dehumidifier can enhance the performance of air conditioning systems in humid climates. By ensuring your air conditioning system operates efficiently, you can enjoy a comfortable indoor environment while keeping utility bills in check. Routine maintenance also extends the lifespan of your system, reduces the need for premature replacements, and provides peace of mind knowing your air conditioning is ready for whatever the Orlando, FL weather brings. Prioritizing air conditioning maintenance is a smart investment in your home’s comfort, safety, and long-term savings.
Prompt Repair
Finally, repairs need to be done as soon as possible when air conditioning problems develop. Prompt repair will keep small issues from turning into major problems, expensive repairs, skyrocketing utility bills, or system breakdowns. Common signs of trouble include strange noises, warm air blowing from vents, odd odors, rapid cycling, or reduced performance. Service providers offer 24/7 emergency AC repair services to address urgent needs. Many HVAC companies provide flexible scheduling to accommodate emergency AC repairs. If you notice any of these, contact us for air conditioning service in Winter Park, FL, inspections, or repairs. Our range of services includes comprehensive inspections and repairs to address all your HVAC concerns. Homeowners should list any HVAC concerns before the technician arrives to ensure all issues are addressed during the visit. Timely repairs matter for maintaining comfort and system reliability.
Contact Gary Munson Heating & Air Conditioning for AC maintenance and repair in Orlando, FL. You’ll be more comfortable with the best!