Seasonal AC Maintenance: Preventing Major Repairs

A proactive approach to cooling is the best way to keep your home comfortable during the summer in Tacoma. Seasonal AC maintenance protects your home’s comfort by detecting underlying problems, minimizing the risk of sudden breakdowns, and extending your AC’s lifespan. Schedule expert HVAC services and AC tune-ups with Kliemann Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning to make sure you have reliable cooling when you need it most.

Why Seasonal AC Maintenance Is Essential

Air conditioners work hard throughout the summer — even minor wear gradually impacts performance. Without proper care, the system accumulates dirt and dust, components wear out more quickly, and efficiency drops, increasing the risk of breakdown.

Addressing Regular Wear and Preventing Breakdowns

Many AC failures occur during the hottest months when the system is most stressed. Even small problems can become costly repairs and sudden system failures when they go unaddressed. Refrigerant leaks, for example, start as a slow loss of cooling power but can damage the compressor, evaporator coil, and other components if ignored.

Routine inspections, cleaning, and adjustments help identify and fix minor issues caused by age and wear. By tackling these issues early, tune-ups reduce the risk of significant breakdowns and enhance reliability during the hottest summer temperatures.

Optimizing System Efficiency

When components wear out and dirt and debris accumulate, your AC system struggles to cool your home efficiently. A poorly maintained unit must work harder to meet temperature settings, increasing strain and energy consumption. Routine maintenance addresses system inefficiencies, allowing your AC to cool your home without overworking.

Extending AC Lifespan

Without proper upkeep, debris buildup and component strain accelerate your system’s aging, leading to premature breakdowns and early replacement costs. Regular tune-ups help your AC last longer, and well-maintained ACs can provide up to 15 to 20 years of efficient cooling and delay replacements.

Key Benefits of Regular AC Tune-Ups

Seasonal AC maintenance offers several benefits for your system’s reliability and operating costs.

Enhanced Indoor Comfort

Dirty coils, clogged air filters, low refrigerant, and other inefficiencies strain and disrupt your AC's normal operation. It has to work harder as it struggles to distribute cool air evenly throughout your home, resulting in insufficient cooling or hot and cold spots. A dirty system likewise circulates dust, pollen, mold, and other airborne contaminants into your living spaces rather than thoroughly cleaning and conditioning the air. Regular maintenance mitigates these problems to maximize your household's comfort.

Reduced Energy Bills

An AC that operates smoothly and without strain consumes less electricity. Regular tune-ups address AC inefficiencies, and homeowners often notice lower monthly utility bills. Reduced energy bills lead to significant long-term savings.

Lower Operating Life Costs

Neglecting maintenance can result in inconvenient and costly repairs, and repairs can accelerate your system’s aging and cause premature failure. By addressing underlying wear and reducing the risk of repairs, maintenance helps preserve your system’s condition and enhances its durability. Compared to a unit that suffers frequent breakdowns and eventually requires early replacement, a regularly serviced AC with few repair costs and a long operating life translates to lower overall costs for maintaining your cooling.

Warranty Compliance

Many AC manufacturers require routine professional maintenance to satisfy warranty conditions. Putting off maintenance can invalidate your warranty, leaving you responsible for subsequent repair and replacement costs for defective components. Proper maintenance protects your investment in case of breakdowns covered under your warranty.

Signs Your AC Needs Maintenance

ACs often provide warnings before experiencing a breakdown. Recognizing these signs alerts you to maintenance needs before underlying problems escalate. If you notice these warnings, request service with Kliemann Brothers.

Weak Airflow or Uneven Cooling

Restricted airflow may cause uncomfortably cold spots near vents and warm spots in other areas of your home. Clogged filters, damaged or blocked ductwork, blower motor problems, refrigerant leaks, and other problems can also cause uneven cooling.

Unusual Noises

An AC should operate with minimal sound, and loud, abnormal, or persistent noises often indicate hidden issues such as worn-out bearings or loose parts.

Unpleasant Odors

Strange smells from your AC or ductwork may suggest mold growth, electrical problems, or an overheating motor.

High Energy Bills

It’s normal for your cooling costs to increase in the summer. However, significantly higher energy consumption than in previous summers implicates underlying inefficiencies that need attention.

Frequent Cycling

If your AC turns on and off frequently, damaged or dirty components may restrict cooling power. Common causes include airflow problems, a faulty thermostat, and low refrigerant.

What’s Included in a Professional AC Tune-Up?

A professional AC maintenance service involves thoroughly inspecting, cleaning, and adjusting important components. HVAC technicians assess system performance, detect and resolve potential issues to guarantee reliable performance, and verify system safety by checking sensors and mechanisms. Based on their inspection results, they will provide energy-efficient cooling tips and tailored recommendations for upgrades or repairs.

A professional air conditioning maintenance checklist typically includes these tasks:

• Coil cleaning: Coils may become coated in dust, and the delicate fins require professional cleaning to prevent damage.
• Air filter replacement: A fresh air filter allows for proper airflow and prevents contaminants from coating your system’s components.
• Lubricating moving parts: Blower motor bearings and other moving parts require lubrication to prevent unnecessary friction and undue wear.
• Thermostat check: Technicians inspect your thermostat for proper installation, calibration, and programming.
• Electrical inspection: Checking and tightening electrical connections catches potential hazards and prevents system malfunctions.
• Refrigerant check: Your technician checks for refrigerant levels and leaks, recharging it if necessary.
• Compressor inspection: Tune-ups involve a detailed examination of the outdoor compressor unit and its interior components, such as the fan and condenser coil.

Protect Your Comfort and Save Money With Kliemann Brothers

Kliemann Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning provides preventative HVAC maintenance to keep your system running efficiently and reliably. Our team of experienced HVAC technicians, transparent pricing, and commitment to customer satisfaction offer expert AC care. Contact us to schedule an appointment and enjoy uninterrupted cooling all summer.