3 AC Services You Need To Schedule Right Now

What are the three maintenance services your HVAC system needs right now? If your central AC hasn't had a routine care appointment in a year or more, take a look at the professional repairs and other AC services your system may need.

An Air Filter Change

Not only do you need to replace the existing dirty, debris-clogged air filter with a new one, you may need to make an upgrade. While a filter change is a fairly straightforward maintenance task that many homeowners can complete on their own, you may still need to contact a professional for this service.

If you don't know where the air filter is, whether you need to dispose of or reuse the filter, how to replace or clean the filter, or which filter to choose as a replacement, call an air conditioning services contractor for a maintenance service.

A low MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) air filter won't trap small particles or keep your indoor air as clear as a higher MERV option. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that a MERV one through four filter only stops 3.0 to 10.0 micron-sized particles 20 percent (or less) of the time. But a MERV 16 filter can stop tiny 0.3 to 1.0 micron particles 95 percent of the time.

A contractor can assess your home's indoor air needs and help you to choose the best filter. Households with pets, people with allergies, people with respiratory conditions, or homes that are in or near high air pollution areas may need a higher MERV-rated filter.

An HVAC Inspection

Does your home's system work as it should? Even though the AC may cool the interior, the system could have potential problems that you can't spot on your own. A routine inspection can help the contractor to find minor issues, damage, or wear that you may not otherwise notice. This allows the pro to repair your HVAC system before it starts to fail or completely shuts down.

An Energy Audit

Is your HVAC system energy efficient? Years of wear and lack of care can take a toll on a central air conditioner or heater. This can force the system to work harder and lead to high energy usage. Add in poorly insulated areas of your home and air ducts with gaps or other leaks and you could pay significantly more to cool your home than necessary.

An energy audit is an easy way to spot problems and correct overuse. The technician may need to inspect areas of your home such as the attic or basement for insulation-related issues, the central unit, an outdoor condenser, the air ducts, and the thermostat. The information they gather can help you to take the next steps and make repairs or replace the inefficient parts of your HVAC system.

For more information, contact a company like Bremer & Bouman Heating and Cooling.