Not changing your filter soon enough could have adverse effects on your HVAC equipment and home comfort. Once a month is a pretty good rule of thumb for most people doing AC maintenance, but you should also factor in where you live and how much dirt, pet dander, and other contaminants are present. You can also check your filter frequently. If it is dirty, change it. As dirty filters are not filtering anymore, they can affect your health and cause breathing issues, especially for people with allergies or asthma.
Look for a pleated filter that has a sturdy wire mesh to support it so it doesn’t collapse. You also want an air filter with a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. The higher it’s rating, the better an air filter will be at filtering smaller particles that can cause allergies and other issues. Typically, a MERV 8 or 9 is ideal.
For your convenience, you can visit our Online Store where you can order and have filters shipped directly to you monthly.
Every heating and air conditioning repair or replacement scenario is unique to your unit and expectations.
When weighing your options, consider these:
- Years in operation
- Continuous or costly repairs?
- Lackluster energy efficiency and increasing utility bills?
- Compromised indoor comfort?
You can also calculate for:
(Cost of Repair) X (Age of Old Unit in Years) < (Cost of New Unit) Multiply the cost of repair by the age of your old unit (in years). If the result is LESS than the cost of a new furnace or air conditioner, it may be worth investing in repairs. If the result is MORE than the cost of a new furnace or air conditioner, you may want to consider replacement instead. A [company_name] NATE-certified HVAC technician can provide you with a customized estimate of repair costs, as well as offer equipment-specific reasons for you to consider a furnace or AC replacement unit.
No matter your brand and type of heating and air conditioning equipment, you should schedule an inspection, cleaning, and service at least once a year. Heating systems are best checked in the fall while air conditioners should be inspected in spring. This will let you take care of any furnace or AC repair requirements before issues worsen.
Some benefits of regular AC maintenance are immediate while others help keep future problems from developing. When you take advantage of our maintenance program, you can expect fewer repairs, better indoor air quality, improved home safety, and longer equipment life. This means enjoying everything your HVAC system has to offer, ensuring you make the most of it
On average, ductwork lasts 10 to 15 years. However, it’s important to remember that many factors can affect the condition of your ductwork. Sometimes, old ductwork can be retained when you’re replacing your HVAC system, but you may have to add insulation and have air sealing done. Working with a professional is the best way to determine the condition of your ductwork and whether you’ll need air conditioning repair or replacement.
Yes, you can. If your AC system is relatively new and your condenser has been ruled to be the only cause of your air conditioning problem, you can have just the condenser unit replaced. If your air conditioning system is on its last legs, however, it might be more practical to consider a full AC replacement instead.
Part of routine upkeep for cooling systems involves a thorough cleaning and spraying water on an outdoor AC unit can help with this. Aside from getting rid of the buildup that can get in the way of the proper air intake, spraying water also helps cool down an AC unit, allowing it to work more efficiently for longer. Just make sure you don’t get water on internal components not meant to get wet! If you want to be on the safe side, you can also entrust AC maintenance to professionals instead.
Many factors can come into play when it comes to the lifespan of air conditioners, but you can typically expect well-maintained AC units to last 10 to 15 years. Take advantage of regular AC repair and cooling systems can last even longer.
On mild days, your AC should run 15 to 20 minutes before cycling or shutting off. On hotter days, however, it’s normal for your air conditioner to run more often and longer to keep you comfortable. If your AC is struggling to keep up with your cooling needs, it may be time for some AC AC maintenance.
To address your needs exactly, many air conditioning repair pros offer different types of maintenance agreements. Typically, however, maintenance will include a thorough inspection of all components, a filter replacement (if needed), thermostat calibration, and safety assessments. Repairs and replacements will also be carried out where needed.
If you have your AC turned on but it’s not cooling your home, your air condenser might be dirty or blocked. Check your outdoor unit to make sure nothing is blocking the intake vents. It’s also possible for dirty air filters to impede airflow, causing AC coils to freeze, so check if it’s time for a replacement. If your air conditioner is still not cooling, it may be time for AC repair.
It may be time to replace your air conditioner when you are incurring high repair costs. Based on the 5,000 rule, the total costs of repairs multiplied by the age of your air conditioner should not be more than $5,000 to make repairs more practical than an AC replacement. You should also consider replacing your cooling system if it is already 10 to 15 years old and has started performing poorly, excessively using energy which can cause your utility bill to spike.
It’s possible, but when your air conditioner is already old, it’s more practical to simply get an AC replacement. Think of it as putting a brand-new engine into a run-down car. Not to mention that the new coil might not be compatible with the other coil in a cooling unit, making it likely for problems to arise down the line.
You can have air conditioning repair done to address a leak in an air conditioner and restore proper operation, making the most of your cooling unit’s service life. However, for a lasting fix, you also have to identify what is causing the leak in the first place.
Without routine maintenance, you’ll find dust and dirt will accumulate not just in your air filters but in other parts of your cooling system as well. This can get in the way of proper operation, resulting in poor cooling for your home. Additionally, damage due to regular wear and tear can worsen, prompting premature AC replacement when an issue could have been addressed by repairs should they have been identified early.
This depends on the type of air filter you have. Disposable air filters are designed to be used once and thrown away when clogged or dirty, while permanent or reusable air filters can be cleaned and used again. Regularly changing or cleaning your air filters is part of good AC maintenance.
Ductwork has a maximum service life of 20 to 25 years so a replacement at 20 years is ideal. Deterioration starts after 15 years, affecting energy efficiency, so replacing ductwork after heating and AC maintenance is highly practical.
Duct sealing during heating and AC repair is necessary to prevent air leaks. It is worth it, allowing you to lower your heating and cooling costs by 20% or more over time. Not to mention the potential incentives you can take advantage of from local energy programs.
