Like other home appliances and devices, the air conditioning system is essential. It’s used to improve the indoor air quality and keep your home warm during the winter season and cool during the summer months. It also serves as a purifier by removing harmful particles and pollutants from the air, making your home healthier.
However, using your AC system regularly can increase its mechanical wear and tear, making it less efficient and effective. As such, it’s important to carry out certain maintenance or air conditioning services to make sure it’s still working in good condition. You might be asking yourself whether you have to service your air conditioning system yourself or hire professionals.
To answer that question, keep reading this article to learn when to DIY air conditioning services and when to call the pros.
When To Service Your Air Conditioning System Yourself
You don’t need professionals to service your wall air conditioner in some cases. The following are some instances wherein you can perform DIY services to your AC system:
1. When Changing Air Filters
Replacing the air filters about every three months can be considered one of the easiest things to do to service your air conditioning system. This is why you don’t need to call a professional to handle this task.
Generally, the step-by-step procedure for this maintenance activity is straightforward. All you have to do is find the air filter’s location, remove the old filter, and replace it with a new one. However, when changing the air filters of your AC system, it’s best to read the instruction manual first to get the job done properly and without problems.
2. When Fixing A Minor Leak
Typically, water leakage can be one of the common minor issues you encounter in your AC system. Because of this, you also don’t have to call a professional when fixing a minor leak. You can certainly resolve this problem by pulling off the cover from the unit and unclogging the exhaust hose using a water spray. However, in doing so, you need to be careful in operating the water spray to avoid further damage to your AC unit.
3. When Doing Spring Cleaning
Doing spring cleaning is another DIY air conditioning service you can do yourself. After the winter season, your AC unit deserves to be freshened up to ensure it keeps running smoothly during the warm weather. Luckily, spring cleaning your air conditioner doesn’t always require the assistance of professionals. All you need to do is clean the indoor vents and the outside drain to get rid of mold. Also, make sure your outdoor equipment is free from debris, like leaves and twigs.
When To Call Professionals For Air Conditioning Services
There are also situations where calling professionals to service your AC system is warranted. These can include:
1. When Installing A New Air Conditioner
Unless you’re an expert in the HVAC industry, you certainly require the assistance of professionals to handle the air conditioning installation for you. Generally, most air conditioning systems are complex equipment that needs expertise and skills to be installed properly.
If an inexperienced person tries to set up the AC unit, there’s a high chance that an essential component or procedure is missed, which, in turn, causes some serious problems to the system. With professionals by your side, you can ensure your air conditioner has the proper refrigerant levels, properly sealed ducts, improved efficacy, and proper measuring and sizing.
2. When Fixing Major Problems
You should call in professionals as soon as possible to fix the following major problems:
- Stop blowing cold air: This can be due to a low refrigerant level or a severe problem with the compressor. In that case, you need an expert to inspect the unit, determine the actual cause, and fix it right away to keep your home cool.
- Foul smell: This can be due to the mold buildup in your AC unit. Hence, when you notice a foul odor, don’t hesitate to contact an AC technician to have your equipment serviced to remove the mold buildup and avoid the health issues they cause.
- Ice on the condenser: This can be due to a restricted airflow around your AC system, which usually occurs because of blocked vents and other serious problems with the main components of your equipment. In that case, it’s best to hire a technician to determine the problem and resolve it immediately.
- Higher bills than average: This can happen when there are faulty issues with the air conditioner, including leaking ducts, dirty filters, improper installation, and other major problems. But if you want to figure out the real culprit that’s causing expensive energy bills, you should work with a professional to help you. They’re familiar with the different components of the unit, so they can quickly identify and fix the problem to make your AC system more energy-efficient.
Conclusion
Taking care of your air conditioning system is crucial to increasing its efficiency and service lifespan. That being said, it’s essential to keep the information mentioned above in mind to know when to service your unit yourself or call the professionals to handle the job. That way, you can ensure the proper upkeep of your air conditioning system all year round.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
