Summer in Berlin, MD, rolls around the corner and everyone starts up their air conditioners to combat the heat and humidity that comes with summer. You might start your air conditioner and notice that it sounds a little different than it did last year but decide not to service it since you need it. Here’s why you give your AC a tune-up and how much it costs to have your AC maintained.
Why AC Maintenance Is Important
There are several reasons why it is important to have your AC unit maintained. AC maintenance goes beyond wiping down the exterior to make it look better. Reasons regular maintenance for your air conditioner is important include:
- Greater AC efficiency
- Better health for your household
- Increases the lifespan of your air conditioner
- Prevents major AC repairs
Air conditioners that haven’t had regular maintenance will be less efficient than those that do. Dirty coils prevent the air conditioner from doing its job properly, which means the air conditioner has to work harder and longer to cool your home.
The filter on the air conditioner also filters out dirt and dust that would otherwise contaminate the indoor air quality of your home. Regular maintenance increases the lifespan of your air conditioner, too, which saves you money so you don’t have to purchase a new air conditioning system sooner.
The Difference Professional AC Maintenance Makes
The siren song of the do-it-yourself mentality is hard to ignore. There’s nothing wrong with learning skills and doing projects by yourself, and you can do the project to your specifications. But some projects are better left to the professionals, and AC maintenance is one of them for the following reasons:
- Professionals have more experience.
- Professionals have the proper tools.
- Professionals can ensure safety.
- You can save money and time.
- You can avoid warranty damage.
If you attempt to perform maintenance on your air conditioner yourself, you risk damaging your air conditioner in a way that either voids the warranty or creates an issue that the warranty will not cover. Also, you may not have experience with electricity, and you can severely injure yourself while attempting to perform maintenance yourself.
Experienced, licensed technicians not only have the training, but they know how to do their work efficiently. This saves time as they can perform the maintenance and repairs far faster, which also saves money.
Costs of AC Maintenance
The price range for a window air conditioner ranges anywhere from $150 to $600. HomeAdvisor estimates AC system installation costs to be anywhere from $3,500 to $7,500, and a whole-house HVAC system costs anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000. By not maintaining your air conditioner, you very well face having to pay for another air conditioning unit far sooner than you anticipated.
The price of a service call, keeping in mind the flat rate of the technician, their expertise and the timing of your call, is anywhere from $50 to $300. We believe that is far better than letting a problem fester until you’re forced to pay anywhere from $150 to $12,000 for a new air conditioner or a new air conditioning system.
Costs for Replacement Parts
Now that you know how much it costs to maintain your AC unit, let’s look at how much it costs to replace a component on the air conditioner. To repair a refrigerant leak costs anywhere from $225 to $1,000, then the technician may have to add refrigerant, which would cost $199 for approximately 3 pounds. Ensuring that the condenser and filters are clean costs far less than needing someone to clear a clogged condenser line, which costs an average of $150.
Preventing a problem saves you money, time and stress in the future. If it’s time for air conditioning maintenance in your home, then contact Griffith Energy Services, Inc. today to request an appointment. Save yourself an uncomfortable headache in the future by acting now to increase the lifespan of your air conditioner.
Image provided by iStock
