Window Air Conditioner Maintenance and Upkeep in Austin

It is very important to take care of air conditioning units installed at home. Annual and seasonal maintenance of an AC will keep it in optimal working condition. Spring AC maintenance is required for all types of air conditioning systems; window or wall mounted and central air conditioners. To beat the heat this summer, make sure your AC is well maintained and working efficiently. Seasonal air conditioner maintenance has to be performed by a professional HVAC contractor in Austin. A window air conditioner requires upkeep and maintenance to be able to work efficiently in the scorching summer heat. It is important to get it inspected before the summer, or during late spring before the real brutal heat arrives.
 

Most experts suggest professional air conditioner maintenance in the late spring; you should check and inspect your air conditioner occasionally for any signs of damage that may need repair work. Always call up a professional and experienced HVAC company for spring AC maintenance in Austin. It is very easy to maintain a window or wall mounted air conditioner. A room air conditioner is easily accessible. Before performing any cleaning and maintenance tasks, don’t forget to read the user’s manual thoroughly. On most models, it is easy to access the air filter by removing the front panel. Remove the air filter and clean it gently with warm water and mild dish soap.
 

Before reinstalling the air filter, let it air dry. During the cooling season, you must clean the air filter once a month. Different types of air filters are installed in different models; there are filters that need to be replaced every two or three months, if you notice any tears or holes in the filter, replace it with a new one. Bees or other insects may form nests inside the AC units when these are idle. To avoid this, store your wall AC in a basement or keep it covered. You will also need to clean the water pan of a window AC. Use warm water, dish soap, or a light detergent to clean the condenser pan to avoid any mold or bacterial growth.
 

Remember, dirty and clogged air filters reduce the efficiency of your window AC by 10%. You must clean or replace the air filters once or twice during the cooling season, depending on your unit's exact needs. During the seasonal maintenance work, replace the batteries in the programmable thermostat and air conditioner’s remote control. You need to call up a professional for condenser and evaporator coil cleaning; the outside unit of the AC will also require cleaning. By keeping your system up-to-date, you can go through the summer season with ease, and the temperature inside your house will remain pleasant and comforting through out the season. By applying these maintenance tips, the life of your AC unit will increase and energy bills will be lowered.
 

Central Air Conditioner Maintenance in the Spring in Austin

If you want to increase your odds for a comfortable and relaxed summer, you must schedule spring air conditioner maintenance every year, before the hot heat of summer arrives. Routine maintenance of the central air conditioner will increase its longevity and efficiency. Home central air conditioners typically have two units, the outdoor and indoor unit. The HVAC technician should check, inspect and clean both of the units. A reliable HVAC contractor is easy to find in Austin for central AC inspection and maintenance. During the off-season, you should keep the outside unit covered with an air conditioner cover.
 

Spring air conditioner maintenance is affordable; you can save money by signing up with the same HVAC company for seasonal maintenance every year. If you are doing the AC cleaning yourself, do not forget to switch off the system on the circuit breaker to avoid any hazardous situations. Remove the covers on the outside unit of the central AC and sweep away any debris, leaves, or shrubs growing over the outside unit. The condensing unit is part of the outside unit of the AC; be sure to check it for animal and insect nests; such as, bees, wasps, rats and other insects. Remove any insect nests, and if you notice damage; contact an expert as soon as possible.
 

The area around the condensing unit should be clean and free of any debris. Use a garden hose to clean debris, twigs, and leaves built up on the top of the outside unit, and remove the debris settled inside with a water hose. The area above the condensing unit should be clear for about eight feet in the air, so make sure no trees are growing too close to it. To improve the air quality in your home, remove and replace the air filter regularly. A dirty air filter can cause allergies, so look for a high efficiency pleated filter that is anti-bacterial or anti-viral. The HVAC contractor should check the ductwork and look for any leakages, if there is a loss of cool air, he should repair the problem. The ducts and seams should be sealed tightly. Check registers from where the cool air blows into your house, and use a vacuum cleaner to remove any debris, and other small objects accumulated in there.
 

If your central air conditioner needs repair, do not ignore the problem. Late spring is the best time for air conditioner repair. An unkempt AC that has to work overtime in the summer is likely to break down on the hottest days.

Why is AC Maintenance in Austin Important?

Air conditioner maintenance in Austin is very important for the efficiency and working life of your cooling system. In order to beat the heat, you must schedule a spring AC tune-up session with an HVAC company in Austin. Experts suggest that the best time for air conditioner tuning is the spring season before the hottest heat arrives. A maintained AC unit will work more efficiently, and it will improve the air quality of your home. Spring maintenance is important because your air conditioner has been hibernating during the winter season, so it requires cleaning and maintenance, it's more like a kick-start to get it ready to go for summer.

During the winter, the evaporator coils of the air conditioner accumulate dust and other types of outdoor debris. Air conditioner filters may need replacement; the late spring season is the perfect time for air conditioner cleaning. Spring AC tune-ups involve cleaning and lubricating the interior parts of the air conditioner, changing filters, cleaning outside units, and more. You should contact a licensed and professional HVAC contractor in Austin for this kind of work to be sure it's done properly.

If your air conditioner requires maintenance and repair, it is most likely to breakdown in the summer, or would stop working completely if you have not had AC maintenance so call an HVAC company now for an inspection and maintenance appointment. According to the statistics, regular, seasonal or annual maintenance of the air conditioning system reduces the probability of equipment breakdown by 95%, and reduces energy costs by 25%. Thus, you can lower your electricity bills in the summer if your cooling system has been properly taken care of.

Austin Air Conditioner Maintenance in the Spring

Air conditioner breakdowns are very common in the summer; we rely too much on our air conditioning system to keep us comfortable and cool, but ignore the basic maintenance and repair that is required before the start of the summer. Experts suggest that spring air conditioner tune-ups are very important for an AC to work efficiently during very hot temperatures in the summer in Austin. You should perform basic maintenance in the spring season, such as, checking air filters, adjusting the thermostat, changing thermostat batteries and other tasks. Homeowners should make an appointment for seasonal or annual professional maintenance by an HVAC contractor.
 

Annual maintenance of your AC will ensure that your cooling system keeps working in full swing during the peak time of the season in Austin. Professional maintenance is performed only by expert HVAC techs, and they will check refrigerant levels, electrical wiring, and will perform cleaning and repair tasks on the inside and outside unit. The air conditioning system will work more efficiently and accurately in the summer. If you have an old system, you should consider an upgrade and discuss it with the HVAC contractor.
 

Homeowners should have their air conditioning system checked in the late spring, and that is the best time for AC cleaning and maintenance. There are certain problems you need to discuss with the AC technician. The most common AC-related problems are low airflow from your air conditioner, leaky air ducts, refrigerant leaks, and electrical failure. You need to discuss all these issues with the AC technician, and also there are other problems you may not be aware of will be taken care of by the technician. Dirt and debris inside the AC unit is a very typical culprit for an AC breakdown. So, the HVAC contractor who performs maintenance should be doing all of these tasks. The number one task would be to clean the condenser and evaporator coil.
 

An expert should perform cleaning of the inside and outside unit of an AC, since they abide by the necessary safety codes and have all the necessary tools for AC maintenance, cleaning, and repair. Contact a reputable and professional HVAC company in Austin for AC maintenance.
 

Maintenance Tips for a Central Air Conditioner in Austin

Central air conditioning systems require a lot of maintenance and upkeep to keep them running as efficiently as possible. Maintaining a central air conditioning system is very important. You can call up licensed HVAC services in Austin for professional repair and maintenance in the spring and summer seasons. Maintenance of an air conditioner, if done properly, extends its life and efficiency. You should have some basic knowledge of your air conditioner to be able to maintain it.  The most important and basic maintenance task is to remove and replace air filters on your air conditioner every so often. Clogged and dirty air filters restrict airflow. If the air filter is dirty; the dirt will bypass the filter and will be sent directly into the evaporator coil. A dirty filter can lower the efficiency of an air conditioner by as much as 15%.
 

An HVAC expert will help you locate air filters in your central air conditioner system; usually these filters are located along the return duct’s length, or in ceilings, furnaces, or the air conditioner itself. There are different types of air filters; some are re-usable after cleaning, and others need replacement every two or three months. Air filter replacement also depends on the air quality of your home, the number of residents in the house, and if there are pets inside the house. HVAC contractors located in Austin will inspect your air conditioning system annually to make sure everything is in good working condition.
 

Use high efficiency and pleated air filters in your central air conditioner. There are different types of air filters, so check with the manufacturer’s manual to find out what kind of air filter is installed in your AC, and how often you need to replace it. A central air conditioner does not need to run all the time. Install a programmable thermostat that would automatically set cooler temperatures when you come home, and higher ones when you are gone for the day. If an AC runs all the time, it will lose its efficiency, and then you have to deal with higher energy bills. Shut off your air conditioning system completely while you are going out on a vacation. Adjustable thermostats are easily available and affordable. You can also buy smart thermostats that can be adjusted remotely with a smart phone.
 

HVAC Maintenance and Energy Saving Tips for Austin Homeowners

We all want to be comfortable in the summer, for that to happen, the HVAC system in your home should be working efficiently. It is important to maintain the cooling system in your house to stay comfortable in the summer. Professional and licensed HVAC companies provide AC maintenance services in Austin. We are discussing a few handy tips in this article that would help you maintain your air conditioning system this summer, and would help reduce energy expenses. If you have an old air conditioner, consider upgrading it to a newer and more energy efficient system with a high SEER rating.
 

If you want your air conditioner to work efficiently even in the hottest of weather, you will need to get the cooling system inspected and maintained properly. By doing this, you can ensure that it works efficiently since it has all working parts and no dust building up on coils, etc.
 

Installing a programmable thermostat can also help reduce the energy cost you face each month by up to 15%. A programmable thermostat is easy to install and use, WIFI enabled thermostats let you control the temperature inside your house while you are away. 

Contact a professional for cleaning and maintaining your air conditioner, including replacing filters, cleaning outdoor and indoor units, and performing any necessary repairs. All these tips will help you maintain your HVAC system and save money and energy. However, it would be wise to replace an older unit with a new and 50% more efficient system, to cut down on energy costs if your unit is more than 15 years old.

Tips and Tricks for Maintaining Your Air Conditioner in Austin

We know air conditioners are a blessing in the summer; it makes one feel comfortable inside their homes when the outside temperatures soar beyond 100 degrees. It does not matter if you use a central air conditioner or a room air conditioner; a fully functional and working cooling system is a necessity to be able to bear the scorching summer heat in Austin. In order to run efficiently, your AC would require frequent maintenance and occasional repairs, even if it is a new system that you have installed. AC maintenance is very important, and it will ensure that your air conditioner works best in the most severe temperatures, and does not break down when you need it most.
 

Regular AC maintenance will ensure the system's efficiency and long life. The number one tip would be to schedule an annual maintenance inspection and repair with a professional HVAC company in your area. This maintenance will prevent any unpleasant AC breakdowns, or mishaps, and fire related accidents. Scheduled AC maintenance is affordable, and easily accessible. Other things that you can do to make your AC running effectively in the summer is getting to know how to set your AC’s thermostat. Try setting the thermostat between 72 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Any lower thermostat temperature setting will increase your energy consumption by 8%.
 

An AC technician can also help adjust the thermostat to a fixed setting; this will help cut down on your energy bills, and will make your AC run smoothly. Call up an AC technician for indoor and outdoor unit cleaning. Dirt build up in the indoor unit of your AC is among the prominent causes of poor efficiency. An AC contractor should also check the refrigerant levels; low levels of refrigerant can reduce efficiency, as well, making the system work harder than it should. To reduce workload on your AC, try insulating your home, close the shades and curtains during the day, and don’t let any sunlight in the house.
 

Check your AC unit’s air filters every two months. Dirty air filters can lower the efficiency of an AC by as much as 15%. Thus, by applying these simple tips and tricks, you can increase the efficiency of your AC, maintain it properly, and increase its working life.

Why You Need an AC Tune Up in Austin

An air conditioner tune-up is very important. During the summer, air conditioners seem to be running all the time, and homeowners in Austin often complain of an AC breakdown on the hotter days of the season. An annual AC tune-up is something you cannot ignore doing. If you do, your AC won’t work in the summer the way it should. Homeowners should invest in scheduled air conditioner tune-ups in the late spring, or at the start of the summer season. This scheduled maintenance session will prevent any frustrating breakdowns in the summer, and will help you save money in the long run.
 

During an AC tune-up session, a qualified technician will inspect your central air conditioning system, or room AC unit. He or she will check the coolant levels, check wiring and other components, will make sure the condenser is clean and evaporator coils are clean, and will perform any safety checks required on your system to prevent any future breakdowns or mishaps. A qualified and licensed technician is easy to find in Austin, and they are just a call away. The technician will perform cleaning and would recommend repairs if needed to make your AC unit work at its best.
 

Air conditioner maintenance and tune-up is so important for your cooling system to work properly, and it won't cost you very much.  An AC unit can lose its efficiency up to 10% if it is not tuned up once every year; if the AC unit has dirty coils, overheated motors, low levels of refrigerant, wiring issues, dirty air filters, dirty coils, blocked condenser pumps, and so on. An air conditioner with low efficiency will not cool the air in your home properly, the system will work harder than it has to, and this can lead to a system breakdown on the hottest day of the season.
 

How to Keep Your AC Running This Summer in Austin

Summers are going to be very difficult this year in Austin, and if you don’t have a working and fully functional air conditioner in your home or office, you're going to be hot and miserable! To make sure your AC unit is as efficient as possible, a tune-up is needed at least once every year. An AC tune up is very important, as it will make your cooling system run without a problem in the hot summer days in Austin. The air conditioner in your home or office may fail when you need it the most if you don’t maintain and look after it properly.
 

An air conditioner tune-up once every year will keep your system running smoothly on the long and hot summer days without any issues. You should contact a licensed and professional HVAC maintenance company in Austin for AC repair and maintenance. Apart from regular AC maintenance by your HVAC company, you should also keep an eye out for signs that may lead to an AC breakdown or failure. Check for these signs before the summer arrives in full swing, for example, if you air conditioner is making weird noises, report it to the HVAC repair company, and ask for expert advice. If you have not changed the air filters for a long time, change them now; dirty air filters impede airflow, making your AC work harder to keep your home or office cool and comfortable.
 

If you notice any obstructions on the outside unit of your AC, remove them. An air conditioner needs plenty of airflow to run smoothly, so if bushes or plants have grown over the outside unit, you may need to remove them. 

You should also try to reduce sources of outside heat and sunlight into your house, apply insulation, and keep the curtains and doors closed during the daytime. This way, you air conditioner will run less, as it won’t have to work harder to keep your home comfortable, and this will also cut down on the electricity bills.
 

The air conditioner is just like any other machine in your home - it needs maintenance -  and it should not work harder than it is supposed to. Therefore, do not overburden your AC, and turn it off before you leave your home. Use your AC wisely, and set thermostat to a fixed point.

Save Money With a New, Energy Efficient Cooling System

It’s that time again, time for your yearly AC tune up and scheduled maintenance.  Preparing for the summer cooling season is not something you should put off until the last minute. If your air conditioner hasn’t been working at its best, it may be time to look into AC replacement. If your unit is between 10 and 15 years old it has probably outlived its usefulness and should be replaced before summer hits.  You can also save money by upgrading to a new, more energy-efficient model that requires less upkeep.  Here are a few ways you benefit from purchasing a new system:
 

Newer Systems are More Efficient
 

The newer, Energy Star appliances are designed to do more but use less energy.  Standard air conditioner use accounts for 50% or more of your electricity bills. If you don’t use a programmable thermostat and just keep it set at one temperature all the time, you are probably receiving bills that are at least two to three hundred dollars every month. A new system would decrease those high bills by consuming less energy.
 

Tax Rebates Help Defray the Cost
 

Another benefit of buying a new system is that there are governments rebates that help defray some of the costs and give incentives to people to buy them who may be on the fence about it.  Talk to your local HVAC contractor about rebates, discounts and other incentives for new installations.
 

Buy When Costs are Lower
 

According to an article on CNN Money, the best time to buy an air conditioner is in the winter, during the off-season costs are usually lower.  AC contractors tend to be less busy in the winter and you can get a new installation done pretty quickly.
 

Once You’ve Decided
 

If you have made up your mind to upgrade your old AC, the rest of the process is pretty simple. You have options when it comes to choosing a new system and you can get help to figure out which system would be best for you and  your family, a new central air system, heat pump or ? Your local AC contractor can offer you some great choices and give you some information to compare products if you are not sure which one to buy.
 

Replacing your old, energy-sucking air conditioner with a newer energy-efficient model will greatly reduce your electricity consumption and your corresponding utility bills. The benefits of AC replacement are numerous, not only do you get a better performing cooling system but you’re also saving money when you use it. 
 

Call ABA Heating and Cooling to find out how you can get an estimate for a new cooling system,  we are experts in AC repair in Austin and we carry all brands.  Our knowledgeable techs can help you choose a system that is just right for you and your home.

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