How to Keep Your AC Repair Bills Down

You can keep your AC repair costs down just by following a few simple steps. All it takes a bit of common sense and knowing which things you can do on your own and when it's time to call in somebody who is qualified to service your air conditioning system unit.

Routine maintenance.

Regularly checking your system for leaks, making sure all moving parts are running smoothly, lubricating when necessary, and changing the filters as recommend are the 4 simplest things can do to keep your AC repair bills down. Check the owner's manual that came with your air conditioning system for the recommended frequency for changing the filters. A good rule of thumb is to change the filter every six weeks, but things such as the type of air filter you are using, the overall air quality in your home, occupancy of the home, and whether or not you have pets all play a part in determining how often you should change the filter. Also, be sure that you are using the right size filter for your unit. Having a filter that is too small can allow contaminated air to flow in, causing damage to the unit. This can be costly, and if the problem was caused by installing the wrong filter, it won't be covered by the warranty. Our AC repair Lakeland services can assist you in determining the correct filter size for your unit!

Limit the use of the system.

You can also cut down on AC repair costs by limiting the use of your unit. Adjusting the thermostat to its lowest comfortable settings can ensure a longer life for your air conditioner. This can help keep your energy costs down as well. If you happen to be going away for long periods of time, for more than 2 or 3 days, set your thermostat at about 82 degrees. This way it will still run when it needs to, but it won't run more than necessary.

Know when to call in a professional.

Another way to keep your AC repair bills down in to have your system inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year. If you start hearing strange noises or funny smells coming from the unit, call a professional for help as soon as possible. Only a qualified technician can identify potential problems early, and fix these problems before more costly AC repairs are necessary. A qualified technician can also lubricate any mechanical parts that you can't get at, and check and refill coolant as needed. Many homeowners will try to do more maintenance on their unit than they really should be doing, and sometimes they end up breaking something and causing more damage than they are trying to prevent. Know your limitations, and don't try to do more than you can safely handle.