3 Questions To Ask During Your Next AC Service
If you like to get the most from the investments you make in your home, few things will provide a better return on investment than annual air conditioning service visits. Routine maintenance and inspection check-ups help keep your system working well, allowing you to avoid expensive repairs and reduce your utility costs.
However, you don't have to treat these annual service visits as purely passive procedures. Instead, you can make the most of your maintenance check-ups by working with your service technician. These three questions will help you judge the state of your air conditioning system and help you decide if you should change your maintenance or usage habits.
1. Can You Upgrade Your HVAC Filter?
HVAC filters help protect your air handler's inner components from the dust that accumulates around your house and also filter the air you breathe. These humble panel filters can make a big difference in indoor air quality, but choosing the best one isn't easy. Panel filters come with MERV ratings that tell you how well they filter certain particles, but which one is right for your home?
The answer can be complex since upgrading to the highest MERV offering available may increase the pressure drop across your filter and reduce system efficiency. However, your annual service visit is a great time to find the best filter for your home. Asking your technician about possible upgrades will let you know if your AC blower can handle a better but more restrictive filter.
2. Should You Replace Your Filter More Often?
Deciding when to replace your HVAC filter can be a little trickier than you might expect. Wait too long, and your system will struggle for air, potentially stressing your compressor and causing your evaporator to freeze. On the other hand, replacing your filter too often won't benefit your air quality, although it will certainly hurt your wallet.
You can check a guide based on your filter size, but your home's unique characteristics will still impact how long you should wait between filter changes. If you aren't sure how to tell if your filter is too dirty, don't hesitate to ask! Your technician can look at the current condition of your filter and give you a rough idea of how often you should replace it.
3. Should You Plan for Future Repairs?
Part of any routine service visit includes checking the condition of your system's components. Even experienced technicians can't predict the future, but they can perform some tests and look for early signs of component failures. It's a good idea to ask your technician if they see any impending trouble that may require repairs in the future.
While ignorance can be bliss, knowing that a particular component is a little worn or past its prime can help you budget for a repair before a failure leaves you sweating. In this case, knowing about a problem really is half the battle.
Contact a company like Cooling Hawaii to learn more.