subject: Avoid Extra Air Conditioning Repair Expenses With These Useful Tips [print this page] When the summer heat starts beating down on Tampa and your air conditioning breaks down suddenly, tendency is, youll be running to the phone to call your AC repair shop. While that is a sound plan, its still important that know some maintenance tips to avoid AC breakdown in the first place. Remember, air conditioning repair services can get expensive. Air conditioner maintenance is an absolutely vital piece of home maintenance. It increases the likelihood that your cooling system will run uninterrupted throughout the summer, that any needed AC repairs will have a reasonable price tag, and that your system will operate at its optimal level of energy-efficiency. Here are some tips.
Learn to troubleshoot. When troubleshooting your AC unit, make sure that the thermostat is set lower than the actual room temperature. The selector switch must be on "cool". If the thermostat is programmable, check to see if the batteries are still working. Air conditioning repair shops recommend in Tampa recommend troubleshooting your system at least once every 6 months. The best time to check on your unit (or have an air conditioning repair shop do it for you) is during spring. The AC repair contractor will crank up your system and let it run for up to an hour. If they identify problems early, you'll probably save yourself from the hassle of taking your unit to the shop during the peak of air conditioning repair season.
Check the outdoor condenser. Make sure this unit isn't blocked by high grasses, weeds, or other lawn and garden components. The unit needs to draw air into the system in order to cool and circulate inside, but the process becomes almost impossible if it cant pull in enough outside air. One Tampa AC repair shop said that some people intentionally cover their condenser to protect it from the elements during the winter, but these units require no protection since they are designed to be outside.
An expense-free tip on AC maintenance is to clean dirty filters. Dirty filters will destroy your unit's energy-efficiency or, worse, cause the evaporator to ice over. If you know you're bad at remembering these types of recurring maintenance, install a permanent filter that needs only to be cleaned, instead of replaced, each year. Many people who go to the AC repair shop to get their units fixed often find themselves in regret for not taking better care of their filters. Its good for your unit, your wallet, ad your health. Some air conditioning repair shops take out more than a handful of animal fur and dust from filters which can cause serious respiratory problems if left unnoticed.
Be sure all access panels are secure, with all screws in place. Clean obvious obstructions, such as newspaper and leaves, from around the exterior of the unit. Check access panels and for obstructions regularly.
Check for power by moving the fan switch from "auto" to "on". If the blower runs, there is power. If nothing happens, a control is burned out or power is disconnected. If the system uses a furnace for heat, check that the emergency switch is on. If you are familiar with the fuse or circuit breaker panel, check for blown fuses or tripped breakers. Correct the problem one time only. If it repeats, call your trusted Tampa air conditioning repair company.
A thoroughly cleaned air conditioning unit will operate at top efficiency, but you should also be aware of your limitations. Each year, a number of people will attempt to clean their ACs with a garden hose, creating a serious risk of electrocution or electrical damage. If you encounter a problem with your AC that you can't diagnose on your own, don't hesitate to call in a certified AC repair or commercial refrigeration vendor in your area of Tampa, Carrollwood, Lutz, Temple Terrace, and Hillsborough
