When most homeowners think of air conditioner and heating repair, they think of expensive repair bills and being left in the cold (or the sweltering heat). But this doesn’t have to be the case. By maintaining and providing basic care to your HVAC system, these emergency calls and bills can be avoided. HVAC care is one of the most neglected home maintenance tasks. The biggest downside to this? HVAC repair can also be some of the most expensive. An easy way to avoid spending your savings on air conditioner repair in Sea Girt this summer is to schedule an annual inspection. In addition to having a professional examine your air conditioner for minor impairments, there are also a few things owners can and should do that also help keep an HVAC unit running efficiently.
One of the most popular excuses for not taking care of an HVAC machine is that it can be intimidating to many homeowners. Not knowing about the parts and what they do is a huge deterrent when it comes to general care of an air conditioning system. It doesn’t need to be this way. Familiarizing yourself with a few basic parts can go a long way in avoiding an emergency repair call this summer.
One of the most important and the easiest things a homeowner can do to keep their a/c running smoothly is to change the air filter approximately every three months. If you do not know where the filter is located, the professionals at Toms River Heating and Air Conditioning can help. Aside from knowing where the air filter is, you must know what type of air filter to purchase. Some filters are reusable and simply need to be rinsed off well with a garden hose every few months. Skipping this important step can cause unnecessary strain on the unit. A clogged air filter reduces air flow which is the most important part of any heating and cooling system. Maintaining good air flow goes far in sustaining efficiency and functionality in any HVAC system.
Just as a clean air filter helps preserve good air flow, keeping the area around your condenser is just as important. The condenser is the outdoor portion of an air conditioner. It contains a motor, a large fan, and a coil. While removing the cover and cleaning and maintaining some parts of the condenser may be too much for some people, what isn’t is to make sure nothing is inhibiting air from flowing in and out of the condenser on all sides. Never plant trees, shrubs, or bushes too close to a condenser. It can be tempting to do so to hide it from view, but all this does is impede air from being able to circulate. No air circulation, no air conditioning. Clearing away any debris from around a condenser doesn’t require any special tools or knowledge. However, disregarding this can cause a lot of damage.
An air conditioning system is an intricate one. While there are a few items on the maintenance list any layman can do, there are many more that are best left to the professionals. An expertly trained technician will be able to recognize small issues before they turn into major catastrophes. Scheduling a yearly inspection is one of the best things a homeowner can do for their HVAC units. These systems cost a lot to install and even more to repair. Making one simple phone call a year can help protect your investment for years, even decades to come. The best time to have the checkup done is just prior to when you will be turning your air on for the summer. Ensuring all the parts are in perfect working order keeps your system running smooth and efficiently all season long.
With the completion of a few simple tasks that anyone can do and a yearly thorough inspection by a professional, air conditioner repair in Sea Girt doesn’t have to cost a fortune. By maintaining the system well year-round, it will continue to perform when you need it to. However, neglecting it year after year will no doubt lead to pricey repair bills. Plus, regular maintenance allows you to enjoy air conditioning for decades without having to think about replacing your unit. Alternatively, simply turning your air conditioning on and off season after season without caring for it will lead to early system failure. And that’s a bill no one wants to pay.
When considering air conditioner repair in Sea Girt, most homeowners overlook one of the simplest but most impactful parts of their HVAC system—the thermostat. While it may seem like just a wall-mounted control panel, the thermostat actually dictates how efficiently your system runs and how long it lasts. If it’s not functioning properly or isn’t calibrated correctly, you may find yourself cranking the air up or down constantly, placing unnecessary strain on the system. This leads to increased energy bills and potential wear on vital components.
Smart thermostats are a great investment for homeowners looking to reduce the need for repairs. These devices help regulate temperature with precision, learn your schedule, and automatically adjust settings to maximize efficiency. Even basic programmable thermostats can make a significant difference by limiting how hard your system has to work when you’re not home.
Thermostat placement is also a factor many forget. If it’s located near a heat source, such as a sunny window or kitchen appliance, it could misread the room’s actual temperature, triggering the A/C more than necessary. Ensure the thermostat is away from direct sunlight or drafts. This can go a long way toward keeping your HVAC running smoothly.
Lastly, if your thermostat is outdated or you’re noticing temperature swings throughout the house, it might be time for an upgrade. When paired with a well-maintained system, a properly functioning thermostat helps prevent system overuse and costly repair calls.
Remember, caring for your HVAC system isn’t just about what’s outside or in the attic—sometimes, it starts with what’s right on your wall. Taking this small step today can prevent bigger problems tomorrow and keep your home comfortable all summer long.