How Often Should You Get An Air Conditioning Service And Heating System Tune-Up? | Dallas, TX
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When the air gets a little stuffy in the summer or chilly in the winter, our first instinct is to switch on the air conditioning or heating to make our homes more comfortable. We don’t stop to think about things like the capacitor’s efficiency or the cleanliness of the blower wheel. We leave that stuff to the air conditioning service professionals, and we’re sure to call someone we trust, like One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, TX, whenever things aren’t working quite right. But what if your air conditioning and heating are working just fine? Is it still necessary to have a technician inspect your system? Absolutely.
Consider your AC system the same way you do your car: you don’t want to wait for the check engine light to turn on before you take it in for a tune-up, right? Of course, not. Thermostats don’t have odometers, though, so how do you know when your AC and heater are ready for air conditioning service maintenance? And is there a difference between air conditioning and heating services? Let’s take a deep dive into HVAC maintenance basics to answer some of your questions, and schedule a service call with One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, TX, today.
How often should you schedule air conditioning and heating system service?
Most authorities on the subject agree that your heating and air conditioning system should get checked out by an air conditioning service professional at least once every principal season — or every summer and winter.
In the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the hot season lasts from early June to mid-September, with an average daily temperature of about 88 degrees Fahrenheit. The cold season is slightly shorter, lasting from mid-November to the end of February, with average daily temps just below 64 degrees. Don’t assume that your service call in June lets you off the hook for another tune-up in November. Each service call is its own process with a unique seasonal checklist.
Seriously, though. Is an HVAC tune-up necessary every year?
Yes! Even though you might get away with skipping a year or two of professional care, you’re ultimately doing yourself a disservice. Regularly scheduled tune-ups keep your system running efficiently and save you money on your energy bill. You’ll also have the peace of mind of knowing that your system isn’t overworking itself — you’re prepared for the season, rain or shine. A licensed air conditioning service professional can recognize minor problems and fix them before they become major headaches.
Typically, an equipment warranty will last about ten years. If you stick to a proper upkeep schedule and call One Hour Air Conditioning and Heating for regularly scheduled tune-ups, your air conditioning equipment could last for about 15 years.
What is the difference between HVAC maintenance and a tune-up?
Maintenance is the routine you’ve developed to ensure your air conditioning and heating run smoothly. Every time you clean or change out your air filter, vacuum your vents, or clear the debris around your exterior unit, you perform maintenance.
An HVAC tune-up is a more technical and in-depth process. Your system has a lot of smaller components that, when they begin to deteriorate, start to overwork the other, more expensive parts. Skilled technicians use special equipment to measure levels, calibrate and test your thermostat, and inspect the inner workings of your air conditioning unit.
Homeowners are responsible for maintaining their HVAC unit, including changing the filter in-between scheduled visits and regularly monitoring the system’s performance. When the new cooling or heating season is right around the corner, and you’re ready for another tune-up, you are responsible for calling an air conditioning service professional air conditioning service company.
Why can’t you perform your annual HVAC tune-up yourself?
Your cooling and heating system is one of the most complex features in your home. Rather than leaving things to chance or hiring someone you don’t trust, put your faith in a local business with a long history of serving the Dallas/Fort Worth area. A quick call to One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, TX, and you know that a licensed air conditioning service professional is going to inspect your system.
Who performs the tune-up on your air conditioning or heating system?
When a reliable air conditioning service professional gets your service call, they promptly send a licensed technician to your home. The technician should be NATE-certified, a distinction that identifies them as highly-skilled experts in the HVAC service industry.
NATE-certified contractors have the knowledge to do things right the first time, saving you time and money on costly follow-up visits. NATE-serviced units also work better, running more quietly and delivering consistent heating and cooling for maximum home comfort.
All of our technicians at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, TX, are NATE-certified. Our staff continues to learn more about the latest technologies in the field through ongoing training. We also conduct background checks on our employees to guarantee our commitment to keeping customers safe and their homes secure.
When is the best time to schedule a tune-up on your AC system?
The best time to schedule air conditioning service is in the spring during the offseason. You’ll have an easier time securing the appointment you want with your local Dallas, TX, AC repair company. You’ll also be ready for the first heatwave of the season, knowing your air conditioning system isn’t getting overworked. The last thing you need is for your AC to break down in the middle of the summer. In a best-case scenario, you’ve scheduled annual air conditioning service appointments with One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating, and your equipment is running at peak efficiency.
How long does a tune-up service call on your AC take?
A typical air conditioning service call takes about 1-2 hours, but the time varies depending on what system you have and if any repairs are needed. The same goes for your furnace, with older or harder-to-reach systems taking a bit longer to service. If your HVAC system is new, or your routine maintenance and tune-ups keep your equipment clean, your service call can be over in less than an hour.
What happens during a system tune-up?
During an air conditioning service call, your technician will perform a complete system inspection. They will replace the filter, calibrate the thermostat to ensure temperature accuracy, and inspect your vents. Outside, the technician will lubricate moving parts and tighten electrical connections. They’ll clean the housing of debris and accumulated grime, then remove the housing to get a closer look at the system components.
Every AC tune-up means your evaporator, condenser cooling coils, drain lines and drain pan are cleaned. The blower fan and components also get an alignment, and the technician checks your refrigerant levels to keep you prepared.
A heating system tune-up isn’t much different, but additional inspections on heating elements make it a necessary routine service call. A technician will inspect your gas or oil connections — depending on which type of heating system you own — and test the pressure to ensure it is at a safe level. They’ll also take a look at your burner combustion and inspect your heat exchanger for any cracks or leaks. The technician might make some adjustments to help improve your system’s performance, and they will let you know if any equipment is nearing the end of its lifespan.
The carbon monoxide safety test is a significant distinction between air conditioning and heating service calls. Gas and oil-burning furnaces produce carbon monoxide, a colorless, odorless gas that, if it seeps into your home undetected, can be life-threatening.
How can I protect my family against HVAC-related carbon monoxide poisoning?
The best practice is to continue to have your heating system inspected every year by the same air conditioning service professionals. Improperly maintained furnaces can result in cracked heat exchangers, air obstructions, and broken vents, all of which are capable of releasing dangerous fumes into your safe haven.
One of the biggest carbon monoxide culprits is the obstruction of outside air intake. The accumulation of leaves and other biological matter can block the necessary airflow and cause a hazard. Sometimes, the failure is not so easy to detect, such as is the case with a cracked or broken exhaust. Water vapor in the pipes causes corrosion and eventually leads to burst pipes. A burst pipe doesn’t necessarily mean carbon monoxide is getting into your home, but this is one risk that is never worth taking. Annual tune-ups on your furnace will detect a potentially dangerous situation like this before it becomes worse.
What are the symptoms of carbon monoxide exposure?
Your HVAC technicians will keep your furnace running efficiently and safely, but it doesn’t hurt to recognize the signs of carbon monoxide exposure. The most common symptoms begin with headache, muscle pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, and nausea. If you or others in the household experience these symptoms and you’ve been using your heater, leave the premises immediately and seek medical attention. Call a licensed air conditioning service professional to examine the area, only returning when the issue is resolved.
Even with your biannual HVAC tune-ups, strongly consider investing in carbon monoxide alarms for your home. A lot can happen in the months between scheduled service calls.
Do heating and air conditioning service tune-ups help improve the air quality of your home?
They sure do. Over time, dust, soot, and other pollutants build up in your HVAC unit and your home’s air ducts. Regular tune-ups and cleanings by a licensed technician ensure that your system is as clean as possible and that contaminants aren’t polluting the air in your home.
Is there anything you can do in-between heating and air conditioning service calls?
If your system has an exterior unit, there shouldn’t be any debris such as leaves, pollen, or twigs, clogging the housing. You’ll also need a clearance of at least two feet around the structure for surrounding foliage. Keep your eyes and ears trained for any irregularities in your air conditioning and heating system’s operation, and call the air conditioning service professionals at the first sign of trouble. Don’t wait for your next scheduled tune-up.
Be sure to ask your technician for tips and tricks for maintaining your system. They’ll be able to answer any questions you have, like what type of air filter is best for your household and how often should you change the said filter?
A word on manufacturer warranties
Many homeowners don’t realize that the manufacturer’s warranty on their HVAC unit is only valid if the system receives its regularly scheduled tune-ups before the heating and cooling seasons. The last thing you want is to invest your hard-earned money into your home, then lose your warranty for the sake of a few bucks.
It’s not unusual for an expensive component, such as a compressor, to fail right around this mark. You could replace the expensive part, but doing so without upgrading other equipment could tweak your system’s performance.
What if you don’t have central air conditioning?
Over 98 percent of homes in Dallas have central air conditioning. If you’re one of the few households in the Tri-County areas without an updated system, you’re in luck. With the latest industry knowledge and a long history in the community, One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas, TX, is ready to quote you today. They’ll also keep in touch after the installation process to help you maintain an efficient system for years to come.
Whether you’re in the market for a new central heating and air conditioning system, thinking about an HVAC upgrade, or you can’t remember the last time you had your system serviced, it’s time to call the air conditioning service professionals. The team at One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating of Dallas has served the good people of the Tri-county areas since 1988. Our license number is #TACLB008874C; don’t hesitate to Google search us and see for yourself what our satisfied customers are saying. Call today for a consultation.