If your air conditioner is ageing, you probably aren't looking forward to humid, hot summer days ahead. If you barely survived last summer and you spent a lot on repairs, you are probably wondering what you will do to prevent regular breakdowns this summer. Luckily, there is a simple and inexpensive way for preventing most repair issues: get air conditioning preventative maintenance before you use the system.

Is it essential to get preventative maintenance for your AC?

Perhaps you have heard that regular maintenance helps keep the AC running efficiently and saves money on energy bills. So, is it worth the cost, and will technicians prevent breakdowns?

Here is a quick example.

If you have a car that has not been used throughout the winter, you wouldn't feel comfortable using it on a long road trip before you get it checked out. If you did, you would risk experiencing a breakdown. When you start your AC system abruptly on the first hot day without getting preventative maintenance services, you will be taking the same risk. Getting maintenance services will give you peace of mind and help you get a more efficient system.

How to prevent breakdowns through AC preventative maintenance

Electrical issues – A technician will inspect the electrical and wiring connection to find out and fix any loose connections or worn wires before they create power loss.

Worn parts – Whenever a worn pulley or belt snaps suddenly, you will find yourself lacking the cold air you need. But when you hire a technician, they will notice that your belt is worn, and they will replace it before it makes the system shut down.

Dirty coils – An AC has evaporator coils which get rid of the heat from the air in the house. The unit also has condenser coils which release the heat from the evaporator coils outside the house. In case the coil gets coated with grime or dirt, it will not transfer heat effectively, causing your system to work hard and run for longer to cool your space. Due to the increased workload on your compressor and fan motor, these components of AC can also fail. Make sure you clean the coils before the beginning of the season.

Airflow problems – Blocked ducts, faulty fan motors, clogged filters and other airflow problems can cause the AC systems to cool ineffectively hence burning out the compressor or causing frozen coils. If this happens, you'll need to buy another AC. By fixing airflow issues, you will prevent a more expensive problem.