The average air conditioner lasts ten to fifteen years under ideal conditions. Out here in the real world, AC maintenance—and the occasional air conditioning tune-up—is necessary if you want that kind of longevity. Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning offer AC maintenance services in the greater Sacramento area so our new air conditioning installations last as long as they should.
Common Types of Air Conditioning Units in Sacramento
If you’ve moved on from box fans and window units, your Sacramento home probably has one of the following types of air conditioning units.
Central Air Conditioning
Central air conditioning is popular because it’s efficient and reliable. Here in the Sacramento area, where forced air heating is common, it’s good for another reason: both systems can share the same ductwork.
Heat Pumps
Heat pump installations are a newer development, using heat transfer to both heat and cool the air. They’re more efficient than other traditional heating and cooling methods.
Ductless Air Conditioning
Not every home has ducts, and even homes that do may need to condition spaces where the installation of ductwork would be impractical or prohibitively expensive. Because a ductless AC system installs through the wall, it’s a great alternative in many cases.
Why Sacramento Homeowners Need Air Conditioning Tune-Ups
Like a car engine, lawnmower, or anything else with a lot of moving parts and complex systems, an air conditioner is subject to wear and tear with frequent use. If the essentials aren’t addressed—cleaning, adjustment, lubricating key parts, and checking electronics—you could face expensive air conditioning repairs later. And maintenance becomes even more important with every passing year your system is in operation.
Mind you, not every air conditioning problem can be prevented with maintenance. Storm damage, overheating caused by a blocked intake, and certain types of thermostat problems, for instance, can occur at any time. But broadly speaking, an AC tune-up is a great way to spend a little to save a lot.
Common AC Problems
Some air conditioning problems are a sign that it’s time for repairs. But in many cases, a little TLC from a Sacramento HVAC professional goes a long way.
Unusual Smells
Improper drainage can lead to a musty or stale smell in your system. That, in turn, can also be a precursor to allergies and asthma. The inspection and cleaning we perform help preserve indoor air quality.
Leaks
Air conditioning systems use coolant to do their job, and they need lubrication of several key parts to ensure everything runs smoothly. They also dehumidify the air, so there will be some water runoff. Each of these fluids has its place, but if you’re seeing them where they shouldn’t be, you should call us to make sure something isn’t leaking or that a drain isn’t obstructed.
Short Cycling
When you have a thermostat problem, a short in the wiring, or other issues with the power supply, you may experience short-cycling, where the system turns on and off in relatively rapid succession instead of running a full cycle. We inspect and adjust electrical components to ensure that this is less likely to happen.
Other Common AC Issues
Maintenance also helps to prevent other problems. Screeching and rattling noises? We tighten loose parts, inspect motors, and make sure belts are tight. Poor indoor air quality? We’ll make sure you’re using the best-quality filters for your system. And a well-maintained system is far less likely to blow warm air when you want, and need, it to be ice cold.
How Homeowners Can Prolong HVAC System Life
Of course, we encourage you to contact Ace Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning for air conditioning tune-ups. But there are also things you can do between visits to prolong the life of your system.
- Keep the area around your outdoor unit clean and free of obstructions and debris
- Maintain proper indoor clearance around air intakes and vents, keeping window treatments, furniture, and decor at a safe distance
- And of course, be diligent about filter changes
For everything else, the air conditioning help you need is a click or call away, 24 hours a day, seven days a week!