Florida homeowners rely heavily on air conditioning systems throughout the extended cooling season. Making sure your AC system will be there for you when you need it can seem overwhelming. When your system is struggling to meet your home comfort needs, how do you know if it needs a tune-up, a repair, or a replacement?
That’s why we’ve created this handy blog post to let homeowners know when each service is needed. In a nutshell, tune-ups should happen every year, repairs are required when your system isn’t working well, and systems should be replaced at the end of their lifespans or when repairs and maintenance are failing to keep your home comfortable. Let’s go into these air conditioning services in Wesley Chapel, FL in detail.
When To Get a Tune-Up
An AC tune-up should be scheduled every year for central air conditioners and twice a year for heat pumps and mini splits. When you live in Florida, AC maintenance should not be seen as an optional service, but a required one. Ideally, AC tune-ups should be scheduled in the late winter or early spring, before you start relying heavily on your system.
Some homeowners wonder if it’s ever “too late” to schedule AC maintenance. The answer is no. It’s never too late to schedule maintenance–unless your system is showing signs it needs repair (more on this later). Although we may be busier during the heat of summer, it’s better to get your AC maintained late in the season than not at all.
When To Get a Repair
Unless your AC has completely broken down, knowing when to call us for AC repair can be tricky. Here are some of the most common issues that warrant scheduling AC repair.
- Strange Noises: Any unusual noises are cause for concern. Don’t let what could be a potentially minor repair develop into a major (and costlier) problem.
- Short cycling: This occurs when your AC is unable to complete a cooling cycle and should be addressed promptly. Short cycling causes enormous strain on your system and won’t resolve itself.
- Decreased home comfort: Whether it’s weak airflow, lukewarm air, increased utility bills, or increased humidity, whenever your AC system fails to meet your home comfort needs, it’s time to have us take a look at the unit.
When To Get a New Air Conditioner
The first thing to consider is the age of your current system. Central AC and heat pumps have an estimated lifespan of 10-15 years. However, that estimate only applies to systems that have received regular maintenance. If you’ve never had your system maintained, you could be looking at a 6-8 year lifespan.
A new system is also recommended when you have a costly repair estimate on an aging system. The 50% rule comes in handy here. If a repair estimate is 50% or more of the cost of replacing it, it’s generally more economical to replace the system.
Is your AC system not meeting your home comfort needs? Contact us and we can let you know which service is needed based on your AC’s issues.
Contact Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule air conditioning services in Wesley Chapel, FL today!
