air conditioner Archives - Always Plumbing & Heating

Air Conditioning Tune-Ups Reduce the Occurrence of Sudden Breakdowns

Once you have an air conditioner in your home, you will quickly attest to it becoming an essential part of your modern life. While you may not think of it most of the year, you certainly expect your air conditioner to be there for you when the warm summer days arrive, working efficiently to keep you cool and comfortable in your home. Neglecting this essential piece of home comfort equipment is a mistake made by many. Just as your vehicle requires routine maintenance and oil changes to keep it operational and efficient, so does your home’s air conditioner and furnace. When failing to have your cooling equipment professionally maintained each year, you are placing yourself at risk of a breakdown when the hot weather hits and your system cannot keep up. Once you are left with an air conditioner that isn’t doing its job when the heat waves hit, you will never make the mistake of skipping out on an annual Spring air conditioner tune-up again. But, don’t wait for this to happen to you!

Risks of Neglecting A/C Maintenance

At Always Plumbing & Heating (and cooling!), we strongly believe in the importance of annual air conditioner tune-ups as preventative maintenance, reducing the need for emergency repairs, breakdowns, or premature replacement of your entire system. Not to mention, an improperly maintained system is certain to be working overcapacity, resulting in hefty power bills that are avoidable with a routine annual air conditioning tune-up. It also should also be mentioned, as many homeowners fail to realize, that most air conditioner manufacturer warranties are null and void if you fail to provide them with records of annual air conditioner maintenance (by a certified professional) in the event that your equipment fails while still under the warranty period. It is very important to not only read the print on the manufacturer warranty of your equipment but also ensure that you are following their recommendations for this reason alone.

What Does a 26-Point A/C Tuneup Include?

Checking for system leaks
Measuring your refrigerant levels
Running numerous checks on the fan, motor, blower belt, and electrical connections
And much, much more!
Ask our technician to walk you through your system check at the time of your appointment, and you will see that this is a task that is best left to the pros.

What Sets Our Techs Apart?

At Always Plumbing & Heating, our expert HVAC technicians believe in going above and beyond in completing a thorough tune-up of your equipment and providing you with a record of every single step that was complete. Our technicians in Edmonton and the greater area will make sure that you are completely satisfied before they leave your home and you sign off on the job. Always Plumbing & Heating wants you to stay cool all summer and not worry about being stuck with a broken unit. Schedule your annual air conditioner tune-up with us today for peace-of-mind home comfort that you can count on! Call us 780-489-8118 or book online today.

Shutting Down Your Air Conditioner for Winter

As the temperatures begin to drop and winter approaches, it’s time to start thinking about shutting down your air conditioning unit for the season. Turning off your AC correctly can help you save money on energy costs and make sure that your unit is ready to go when warmer weather returns. With a few simple steps, you can properly shut down your AC system for the winter months ahead.

6 Easy Steps To Shut Down Your AC For Winter

Follow these steps to turn off your air conditioner for the season and prepare for the winter months:

Turn off cooling mode on your thermostat. On your thermostat turn off cooling. If you have a smart thermostat such as ecoBee or Nest, you can turn off cooling mode or the cooling system directly from your smartphone.
Turn off the air conditioning power – Find the central air conditioning circuit near the AC and turn the switch off. You can also turn the breaker off to the AC in your breaker box.
Replace the air filter. Air conditioners have filters in them that can become clogged up with pollen, dust, dirt and grime. The filters are to prevent these airborne particles from entering your home and improve your air quality when your AC is running. You should change this filter at least every 3 months while you are using your AC. As a good rule of thumb, replacing it at the end of the cooling season will prevent you from needing to do so in the Spring when you turn the unit back on.
Wash the outdoor condenser. On a warm fall day, use a garden hose to completely wash away any debris, leaves, and grass from your air conditioner. It is important to remove this debris so it doesn’t work its way into the central AC for the winter days. Don’t do this when it is below freezing out. Allow it to completely dry before putting the cover on.
Inspect the condenser and pipes. Check for cracks, rust, leaks, and other signs of damage. If you see any corrosion, it is important to have it professionally repaired before winter. Harsh weather can worsen the damages and cause a more costly repair next Spring.
Place a waterproof cover on the outdoor unit. If we installed your central air conditioner, you would have been given an option to add a custom cover to your purchase. If you do not have a cover, you can still call Always Plumbing & Heating to order one that is custom to your air conditioner unit. If you wish to shop around, be sure to choose an insulated, waterproof piece that completely covers the whole unit. Ensure the cover is tightly secured with bungee cords to prevent it from blowing away in the harsh winter winds.

Many of these tasks are things homeowners can do themselves to prepare their AC for winter.

Contact Always Plumbing & Heating to Get your Air Conditioner Ready for Winter

If you notice any damage on your air conditioner or need to order an AC cover, you can rely on us here at Always Plumbing & Heating. Our team of skilled HVAC professionals is happy to answer any questions you may have about Air Conditioner maintenance and repairs.

Tag: air conditioner