Spring is on its way, and that means your heater will soon be seeing less and less use, and your air conditioner more and more. Eventually, your AC will be running almost every day. The last thing you need is for a sudden, unexpected breakdown just when the mercury hits triple digits. Getting your air conditioner ready for the spring can help avoid those issues, and with the weather still relatively mild these next few weeks, you have the time to plan for any repairs or additional operations that may be necessary.
START WITH A MAINTENANCE SESSION
Maintenance isn’t quite the same thing as a repair call. Repairs come when a specific problem interferes with the air conditioner’s ability to function. But countless little problems can bedevil an air conditioner too, and while they may not merit a repair call in and of themselves, they can add up if they aren’t addressed. These are things like loose bolts, worn fan belts, leaking refrigerant and increased friction on moving parts that have not been properly lubricated in a while.
A maintenance session is designed to address all those little details, which helps improve the system’s efficiency and lower the wear and tear on individual parts. In addition, the technician can take the opportunity to look for the signs of a larger problem brewing: something that may not have manifested just yet, but which might come along to bite you later in the season. That way, you can get it address with a formal repair session before the summer starts: likely costing less and certainly preventing any serious problems just when you need the system the most.
CONSIDER UPGRADES
In addition to basic servicing, you might consider the addition of an upgrade to your air conditioning system: something placed in your existing system that helps it perform more effectively. This can include, but is not limited to, any of the following:
- A new thermostat, replacing any thermostat more than 10 years old. Contemporary models feature exciting upgrades that older digital thermostats lack, such as smart programming and WiFi connections letting you program it from anywhere in the world via an app on your phone.
- Zone control systems, which divide your ducts into sections and allow you to raise or lower the temperature in each one separately. Not only does it allow you to set different temperatures in different rooms, but you can turn off the air in unused parts of the house while still running it in parts of the home you’re occupying. That can save a great deal on monthly cooling costs – especially for larger homes – while reducing wear and tear on the individual A/C components.
- Dehumidifiers, which reduce the moisture levels in the air and help your home feel more comfortable. Air conditioners handle this issue by default, but it can create a lot of strain and you can’t control the humidity levels at all when you’re just relying on an AC.
If any of these options sound like a good fit for your Portland, OR home, call the professionals at Western Heating & Cooling today!