| By :
Nick Messe
There is little worse than enjoying a scorching day out of the heat at home and suddenly your air conditioner doesn't seem to work properly anymore. It happens more often than not. The best way to avoid costly visits from the air and heating guy is to perform annual preventive maintenance. An annual preventive maintenance service call is a whole lot cheaper than a fix-it bill. There are lots of things the average homeowner can do to keep the air conditioning units functioning well. Purchase extra filters and store them in a safe place for future use. The prices may increase from year to year, so buying extra filters will save money long term. Look for sales during off season or just before the warm weather starts. You should replace or rinse dirty filters at least annually. More often is even better. Dirty filters can overwork your system as it works to keep your house cool. The air quality in your home will improve immensely too. Check your freon levels or call a specialist to check for you before the warm season starts. Low or no freon can cause your system to burn out, much like your vehicle's air conditioner. Another simple thing is to replace the thermostat battery annually. Fuses and sensors may become faulty, so have them checked as well. Use of multiple electrical devices and appliances during summer heat can cause your breakers to trip. Vacuum cleaners, washer and dryer, dish washer, pool pump, electric garage doors, computers, and hair dryers should be used sparingly. Refrigerators and freezers are necessary, but keep the kiddies from opening and closing them too much, causing the appliances to overwork to keep cool. Beware of circuit board burnout. This can be costly. Rolling blackouts can mysteriously cause the damage. If your system is older than you are, consider replacing it if possible. If you are a new resident, ask the previous owner how old the system is and if there are any functional concerns. Don't be afraid to ask questions or challenge the technicians diagnosis. If you are quoted what you feel is an extremely high estimate by the service guy, pay the small fee for the estimate and call another service technician for a second opinion. If your original quote is lower, the prior fee that you paid should be deducted from the total bill. Some replaceable parts may have up to a five year warranty, so be certain to have the technician explain and write down all warranty information on your receipt. Refer a good service technician to neighbors and friends. This may result in addition savings for you. Staying cool is healthy for humans and animals alike. Be smart by taking care of your system.
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