When do you need to schedule an HVAC repair—and when do you need to consider a replacement service? Your air conditioner isn't ready for the summer months. But this doesn't mean you have to settle for warm, muggy interior air. Take a look at what homeowners need to know about HVAC system repair, maintenance, replacement, and service options.
Why Schedule A Repair Service?
There isn't one reason for every AC repair. Many homeowners call for service when the unit stops working or fails to cool the home completely. Your central system may turn on and blow warm air, it may cycle on and off constantly, or it may come to a complete standstill. Along with the failure to turn on or to cool, some systems require service for visible damage (such as cracked air ducts), water (condensate) leaks, or thermostat-related issues.
Why Schedule A Maintenance Service?
Before you decide which service your system needs, you may need to learn more about the differences between repair and general preventative maintenance visits. A repair service is exactly what the name implies. The technician will inspect the system, ask you to explain the issues it is currently experiencing and will fix (repair) damage or wear.
Unlike a repair service, a general preventative maintenance service includes an inspection and cleaning. But this doesn't mean your annual routine maintenance appointment couldn't also include a repair. When the technician inspects your air conditioner, they could find a problem. These potential problems may not stop the system from cooling your home right now.
Left untreated, these minor issues could eventually put a stop to your system. A repair service during a routine maintenance appointment can prevent a major AC problem and decrease the likelihood of a mid-season breakdown. This makes scheduling routine maintenance essential for every homeowner who has a central AC system.
Why Replace the System?
You've scheduled routine maintenance annually, changed the filter often, inspected the ducts, and your air conditioner is not as efficient as you would like or requires more than one HVAC repair service every season. Does this mean you need a replacement instead of a repair?
A replacement AC system service reduces the need for repair appointments. While one repair in a cooling season typically isn't a primary reason to replace a system, constant or consistent calls to the contractor could point to a problem that requires more than just a fix. Combine this with age and overall energy efficiency, and you may want to seriously consider the benefits of a new installation.
Not only could you save money on the costs of repairs, but you could also significantly decrease your electricity bills. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that the highest efficiency modern systems use between 30 and 50 percent less energy than models from the 1970s. New air conditioners may even use 20 to 40 percent less energy than systems that are 10 years old. This equals cost savings in the price of utility-related expenses.
Contact a local HVAC system repair service to learn more.
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