How Often Should You Service Your AC in Florida?

If your AC seems to be working just fine, is it really necessary to pay for a system check? HVAC professionals generally agree that the answer is still yes. Investing in AC maintenance is a wise decision that will save you time and money down the road, especially if you live in an area of the country where you run your AC often (like Florida!).

So, how often should you service your AC in Florida?

Ideally, it would be best if you had your AC professionally maintained at least once a year. Scheduling a system check in the spring is best before the temperatures rise to their peak in the summer.

Naturally, you might be wondering why annual maintenance is necessary. After all, it’s an additional expense you’ll have to plan for and schedule. For Florida homeowners like you, the main benefits of investing in annual AC checks include:

• Your Air Conditioner Will Last Longer
• You’ll Pay Less in Energy Costs
• You’ll Have Fewer Unexpected Repairs

Sounds pretty good, right? Let’s take a look at each of these benefits more closely.

Need an AC system check? Call Red Cap. We guarantee that your air conditioner won’t break down in the next year, or we’ll credit the cost of your system check to your repair.

Benefit #1: Your Air Conditioner Will Last Longer

Like a car or other complex mechanical equipment, air conditioners need annual maintenance to last longer.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average lifespan of an air conditioner is about 15 to 20 years. However, if you neglect necessary maintenance, your AC won’t cool your home efficiently or adequately, and its lifespan will be shortened due to the additional wear and tear on the system.

A highly-trained tech will carefully maintain your air conditioner by cleaning its various parts, testing it for any issues, and thoroughly investigating any strange noises, leaks, or other problems. Getting these services done annually will ensure that your AC doesn’t wear out as quickly, saving you thousands of dollars that you would have otherwise spent on breakdowns or repairs.

Benefit #2: You’ll Pay Less in Energy Costs

A clean and properly functioning air conditioner will run more efficiently, decreasing your monthly energy bill.

Problems like dirty coils or low refrigerant levels will increase the amount of energy your AC must consume to cool your home. Not only will these types of issues put more strain on your air conditioner, but to compensate for them, your AC will run longer too.

Lots of us might choose to blast the AC all summer long and stomach the pricey energy bills, but even simple maintenance tasks like replacing a dirty filter can reduce your AC’s energy consumption by 5 to 15%!

If you schedule your annual maintenance in the spring, a tech can identify any problems and take care of any necessary repairs to make sure your AC is ready to take on a hot, humid Florida summer.

Benefit #3: You’ll Have Fewer Unexpected Repairs

During an AC system check, a technician can identify any small problems and fix them before they turn into extensive, expensive repairs or replacements.

Regular maintenance can prevent issues that contribute to extensive AC damage, such as:

• Dirty coils: Dirty coils can reduce the airflow to your system, making it work harder and longer to cool your home. Reduced airflow can result in an overworked system and expensive breakdowns and repairs.
• Low or leaking refrigerant: Low refrigerant can keep the indoor coil from absorbing enough heat. As a result, your AC won’t cool very well, and your evaporator coil is more likely to freeze.
• Thermostat issues: If your thermostat is malfunctioning, it may not read the correct temperature or communicate with your AC system properly.
• Dirty filter: A dirty filter will restrict your AC’s airflow, increase your energy costs, and make it difficult for your system to cool your home effectively.
• Drainage problems: A clogged condensate drain can cause AC leaks and prevent your AC from stripping humidity from the air. As a result, your home won’t be as comfortable, and you could end up with minor water damage.

Experienced techs help Florida homeowners prevent these issues with a comprehensive AC system check. A check should always include a minimum of the following maintenance tasks outlined by EnergyStar®:

• Checking the Thermostat Settings
• Tightening All Electrical Connections
• Lubricating Moving Parts
• Inspecting the Condensate Drain
• Checking the Controls of the System
• Cleaning the Evaporator and Condenser Coils
• Checking the Refrigerant Level
• Cleaning and Adjusting the Blower Components
• Inspecting and Changing the Air Filter

Make Annual AC Maintenance More Manageable with a Red Cap Maintenance Plan

You can easily call any HVAC contractor and schedule a quick AC system check to make sure your AC is ready for summertime. Unfortunately, it’s easy to forget to do that every year.

The most convenient way to schedule regular AC maintenance is to join an annual maintenance plan. With a maintenance plan membership, you pay a small monthly fee to mitigate the cost of HVAC maintenance services and maintain your equipment. Your AC system check is auto-scheduled months in advance, and you also get access to a whole host of additional discounts and freebies that aren’t available to non-maintenance plan members.

For example, Red Cap offers a whole-home Family Comfort Club plan that provides perks like:

• After-Hours Appointments (Until 7 P.M.)
• No Overtime Charges
• $0 HVAC Diagnostic Charge
• 15% Discount on Repairs
• 5% Filtration, AC, and Air Quality Discounts

Ready to Schedule AC Maintenance in the Tampa Area?

Whether you have a maintenance plan with us or not, our licensed AC technicians are happy to service any make and model of air conditioner you have. We’ll send someone right to your home for a quick and thorough AC system check. We understand how important it is to have an efficient and properly working AC in Florida. Our pros are always available to provide quality service, honest recommendations, and upfront pricing.