Is It Worth It to Get Your Air Conditioner Looked at Every Year?
The average cost of installing a new air conditioner can vary between $3,500 and $10,000 as of 2011, according to CostHelper.com. After spending this amount of money, some homeowners may be reluctant to spend extra money every year on professional maintenance. But, failing to maintain an air conditioner can lead to repair issues that can end up costing much more than regular maintenance, cleaning or minor repair fees. Does this Spark an idea?
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Cleaning
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Having a professional clean the air conditioning unit every year can help prolong the life of the air conditioner, improve its cooling performance and even help prevent the need for repairs. Condenser coils should be cleaned, filters should be changed and cleaned and dirt and debris should be vacuumed out from the inside and bottom of the air conditioner.
Repairs
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Having a service technician check the air conditioner yearly and perform any minor repairs that are found can save money in the long run; issues that are ignored can eventually cause air conditioner components to crack, break or otherwise need extensive replacement or repair. Such issues include problems with the condenser coils, the compressor and blower fan.
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Maintenance
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Water is an essential component of an air conditioner. Warm air is passed over condensing coils and cooled, creating evaporation that drips down into the condensing pan. While this water should drain, any water that sits stagnant in the air conditioner may eventually develop mold. This mold, if left untreated, can then be dispensed through the air conditioner and may present a potential health risk. Yearly inspections can help identify and prevent any mold issues.
Cost
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Annual maintenance does cost money incurring payments for labor, cleaning and any parts that must be repaired or replaced. Owners should weigh the cost of maintenance with any large scale repairs or the possibility of needing to replace the air conditioner if it is not properly maintained.
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References
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