Chicago’s summers are well-known for bringing a lot of heat and intense humidity. This can make your home sticky, uncomfortable and difficult to cool. As temperatures rise and moisture fills the air, getting a tune-up for your air conditioning system is an absolute must.
How Heat and Humidity Affect Your AC System
The combination of both intense heat and humidity can stress the workload of any air conditioning system. When your air conditioning system operates, it not only cools the air in your home but also dehumidifies it. When heat waves hit the area, your system must run for longer to reach your desired indoor temperature setting. This increases the wear and tear on your system’s key components, like its blower motor and compressor.
As your system is running longer cycles, it’s filtering more air. This can lead to your air filter getting dirtier much quicker. Any restriction caused by a dirty air filter can affect system efficiency and cause it to work harder than necessary to deliver cooling for your home.
One of the biggest problems with humidity is that it restricts the body’s ability of sweat to naturally evaporate into the air. This makes it harder for your body to cool down, even though the temperatures may seem moderate on any other day with low humidity. While your air conditioning system does remove some humidity, it can’t remove all of it.
On overly humid days, you may find that you’re compensating for the uncomfortable feeling by turning down the temperature on your thermostat. When this happens, your air conditioning system must work even harder to reach that lower temperature. This leads to a shorter system lifespan and an increased risk of experiencing a breakdown.
What Is a Professional AC Tune-Up?
A professional air conditioner tune-up is specifically designed to prepare your AC system for the heavy demands that the Chicago summer brings. Our technician will perform a detailed inspection of your unit alongside maintenance to ensure that everything is functioning properly. This includes cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, checking air pressure in your ducting, and calibrating your thermostat.
Our technician will check your refrigerant level and recharge it as necessary. We’ll lubricate moving parts to reduce friction during operation. Our technicians will tighten electrical connections to ensure a solid bond and clear out any debris in your condensate line. If we notice any worn-out or malfunctioning components, we’ll replace them.
Benefits of Professional AC Maintenance
One of the most important benefits of getting a professional tune-up is enhancing the efficiency of your system. When our technicians properly service your unit, you can ensure that it’s operating as efficiently as possible. This will prevent you from spending your hard-earned money on high energy bills.
Our technicians will also replace any worn-out or malfunctioning components. This will dramatically reduce the risk of experiencing an unexpected breakdown during the summer months. This can go a long way in giving you peace of mind about the reliability and safe operation of your home cooling system.
Because professional maintenance gives your AC’s internal components the care they need, they’ll last much longer than if they didn’t receive maintenance. With the high cost of purchasing a new air conditioning system, routine maintenance is one of the best ways to help protect your investment and extend its overall longevity.
Routine tune-ups include cleaning the internal components of your unit. This enhances your indoor air quality to ensure that your family is breathing in safe, clean air. Furthermore, most manufacturers require a certified technician to maintain your unit once a year. If you fail to get a tune-up service, any future repair warranty claims that you submit may be denied.
Homeowner Maintenance
As a homeowner, you can help maintain the operating efficiency of your cooling system throughout the summer. For instance, check your air filter every month and replace it if necessary.
You’ll also want to check your air vents at the beginning of the season to ensure that they’re open and unobstructed. Make sure that your outdoor condenser unit is clear of any debris, including leaves or twigs. Additionally, it’s best to program your thermostat early in the spring so that you can maximize your energy savings.
Reliable AC Maintenance Services
Allegiance Heating & Cooling provides reliable AC maintenance services for Chicago, IL, and the surrounding communities. We can also assist with all your air conditioner repair, installation, and replacement needs. Contact our office today to learn more about our HVAC maintenance plans.
