Repairing your air conditioner can be quite costly, particularly if you have never taken the time to maintain your AC unit while it was functioning normally. With appliances it is far too common to just let them run until they stop, forgetting important steps that increase longevity and allow you to get the most out of your machine. Here are several steps that can keep your air conditioner repair costs down in the event that a repair is needed.
Change filters as recommended
This may differ depending on the model but neglecting filter changes is a major cost contribution to air conditioner repair. This is easily preventable by changing filters regularly. If you many pets or pet breeds who shed excessively, you may need to increase the frequency of filter changes. The more clogged your filter, the harder your A/C unit has to work, increasing the likelihood of needing air conditioner repair. The price of filters is minuscule to the cost of a failing unit.
Use the right tool for the right job
A/C units are set to cool a specific amount of space or less. Heating areas larger than intended or leaving open doors and forcing the cooling to work its way into other spaces are yet another way to overwork your air conditioner. Not only will this generally increase your cooling costs, but air conditioner repair costs will be higher as well when the overworked machine eventually fails.
Avoid the urge to DIY air conditioner repair
The DIY approach works for many things, but repairing an A/C unit is not one of them. Refrigerant leakage is a prime source of air conditioner repair needs. These chemicals are not only dangerous to you, but also the environment and potentially your neighbors depending on the proximity. HVAC repair technicians dealing with refrigerant require EPA certification for a reason. The risk of serious electrocution is a very real possibility as well. Finally, without the right tools you risk the chance of making your repair needs far worse and more expensive after a failed attempt.
Schedule annual maintenance
As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. This is as true for your doctor visits as it is for your air conditioning unit. A speedy maintenance visit once a year can catch problems before they require repair or replacement and save you 100s of dollars. Maintenance costs are low, a mere fraction of what air conditioner repair costs would be. Remember to always use a licensed and qualified technician for any maintenance or repairs.
Know when to repair and when to replace
A/C units do not last forever and with extremely dated models sometimes it is simply not worth the price to repair. Instead of repairing a broken or failing part every few months, it may be time to just purchase a new unit. Additionally, avoid waiting till the last minute to get repairs done. The moment your A/C begins making strange noises, that is the time to request air conditioner repair. Proper attention to early warning signs can keep your bill costs down.
Keeping air conditioner repair costs down, or ideally eliminated is the end goal of the owner of any appliance. Nothing is worse than a failing unit during the hottest days of summer. It is a good idea to get into the habit of replacing filters and scheduling a maintenance right before summer begins. Use the tips provided to reduce your likelihood of needing repairs or lowering the costs if you do end up needing them. Contact us for more information.