How can you reduce the likelihood of a mid-season HVAC failure? From pre-season maintenance service calls to air conditioner repairs, take a look at the tips for helping your system reach peak performance during the warmest months of the year and when to call in the residential A/C experts. 

A Pre-Season Service Visit

Even though your air conditioner may have effectively cooled your home last summer without the need for a repair, you still need to schedule this type of service call. Likewise, if your system did require a repair, you also still need to set up a maintenance service before your residential A/C system needs to kick into high gear.

Provided you schedule this service call before the temperature rises high enough to need 24-7 A/C, pre-season maintenance (with repair) service can increase the system's efficiency, help you to maintain clean indoor air, and allows you to find potential problems before they shut down your air conditioner mid-season. The technician will inspect and clean the central unit, condenser, and other parts of the system. If they notice excessive wear or damage, they can recommend a repair immediately.  

A Filter Change

Filter changes (or cleanings) are usually part of a pre-season maintenance appointment. But this doesn't mean your system will only need one change or cleaning (if the air conditioner has a reusable filter) per year. 

A clean filter increases indoor air quality and overall efficiency. The more efficient your home A/C system is, the less it has to work to cool your home. Not only can this save you money in the cost of electricity bills, but it can also reduce the risks of a premature breakdown or mid-cooling season system failure. 

A clogged filter stops the flow of air. This forces your air conditioner to work harder. The result is an increase in energy usage and added stress on the system. An increase in workload (and stress) can speed up the normal wear and tear process or potentially damage the air conditioner. 

If you're not sure what type of filter your system uses or if you should upgrade the existing one, talk to the home A/C experts at your pre-season service call. Air filters have MERV (minimum efficiency reporting value) ratings. Higher MERV filters stop smaller particles. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a 16-value MERV filter can stop 95 percent of 0.3-micron to 1.0-micron-sized particles. 

A Repair Service

It seems obvious that a pre-season fix would reduce or eliminate the need for a mid-season repair. But some homeowners may put off a repair as a way to save money. Even though this approach could save you money initially, you may end up spending more on additional repairs or emergency service calls. If your system doesn't cool evenly, blows warm air, makes off noises, or has off odors, contact a qualified contractor as soon as possible. 

For more info, contact a local company like Home Heating Service, Inc.