The Importance of Proper Air Conditioner Care

girl laid back on sofa

girl laid back on sofa

girl laid back on sofa

Proper air conditioner tune-ups can extend the life of your unit while reducing the severity and frequency of repairs.

It's important to keep your air conditioning (AC) unit running efficiently, not just to keep you comfortable in the hottest weather, but to save on costs. You can do that by working with a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioner (HVAC) professional skilled in helping you get all you can out of your AC unit.

Regular maintenance

According to Energy Star, you should always maintain your HVAC system to avoid future problems and unwanted costs. You can keep your cooling at peak performance by having a contractor do an annual pre-season checkup. Contractors get busy once summer arrives, so it's best to check the cooling system in the spring before the weather heats up.

Maintenance checklist

A typical maintenance checkup for your HVAC system should include the following:

Testing the system's controls to make sure they run properly, as your system should start, stop, and operate without excessive noise or delay

Annual lubrication of appropriate parts to ensure motor friction does not cause damage to your system; increased friction can cause your system to run less efficiently

A thorough check of all electrical connections, since these connections are important to ensure both safety and efficiency

Adjust the air conditioner refrigerant level, because the proper amount of refrigerant helps keep your system running longer and more efficiently

A thorough inspection of the condensate drain, since plugged drains often impact indoor humidity levels and can cause indoor water damage

A thorough cleaning of the system's condenser and evaporator air conditioning coils, as clean coils ensure your system runs efficiently throughout the summer months

Checking the airflow to see if your blower is running properly, because if the output of air feels weak, you should consider repairing your blower or having your duct work repaired

Additional help for your AC

In between seasonal tune-ups, we recommend the following tips:

Throughout the cooling season, you should check, clean, and replace the HVAC filters in your system. Like those in your car's engine, a dirty and clogged air filter can slow down your system and cause it to work harder than it should.

Consider installing a thermostat that can control the temperature when you're away from home or at night when you're sleeping.

Use weather stripping and caulking to plug the air leaks throughout your home. Your air conditioning system has to work harder if heat continues to enter the home.

Install curtains and shades on south-facing windows to help keep the sun's direct heat from entering the home. Appropriately placed trees, awnings, and vegetation are also good options for outside your home.

Ceiling fans help redirect air throughout your home. They force cooler air into the house and exhaust hot air out on cooler days and nights when you can turn your AC off.

Switch your incandescent light bulbs to LEDs, which not only use less energy but give off far less heat. Changing the light bulbs over your kitchen table can make a difference in the temperature of a room.

Inspect your dryer to make sure it is venting outside properly to keep hot air from re-entering the house.

So, what do you do if your AC unit isn’t working as well as it should? Our air conditioning protection plans can shield you from unexpected repair expenses and help you avoid costly breakdowns in the future.

Terms and conditions contained in the protection plans may limit our contract obligations due to coverage caps, coverage exclusions, and our cash back offer. View plan details for more information.

Terms, conditions, and other restrictions

*Repair claims are limited to $500 per service call and $2,000 per plan in the aggregate per plan term. Plans are provided by NRG Protects Inc. Independent contractors will be performing various services under the plans. In some instances we may make a cash payment in lieu of repairs or replacement in the amount of actual cost, which may be less than retail, to repair or replace any covered system, component, or appliance.

**If your authorized repair technician determines that the water heater is deemed irreparable, we will give you a credit of $500 towards a replacement water heater by your authorized repair technician.

Once repair plans commence, there is a 30-day waiting period before you may request services for a claim. Unless the plan provider elects not to renew the plan, upon expiration of the first year, the plan will automatically renew at the standard rate and terms unless you opt out of the auto-renewal option in writing by mail at P.O. Box 2309, Houston, TX 77252- 2309, by email at cancel@nrgprotects.com or by calling us at 1.855.241.9094. Sales tax will be added in select states.

This is a summary of what the provider will and will not cover under the plan, and is subject to the Terms and Conditions of the plan. The Terms and Conditions may limit the provider's contractual obligations due to coverage caps, coverage exclusions and any cash-back option available under the plan. Please refer to the Sample Terms & Conditions for details.