Every electronic or mechanical gadget needs to be maintained regularly to keep them working in top conditions. If this equipment is not properly maintained it may stop working earlier than expected or even cause the owner to pay a huge amount for repairs when it finally breaks down.
The air conditioner is one household piece of equipment that needs to be properly turned up regularly so that it remains in optimal condition. However, servicing or turning up air conditioners often come with extra cost that homeowners often think “is AC Turn-up worth it?”. Are they right to be skeptical about the worthiness or are they wrong? Read this article till the very end to find out.
What is an AC Turn-up
AC Turn-up is checking holistically, every integral component that makes up your air conditioner to find out about their health status; to determine whether they are in good condition.
This is necessary to find out earlier if any of your unit components need to be replaced or repaired before the whole system finally breaks down (I don’t think anyone desires that). Although this popular saying – “prevention is better than cure” is often used by humans to emphasize the need for regular medical checks; the same applies to your AC unit as frequent upkeep help prevent interruption in workflow.
Is HVAC Turn-up necessary
Yes, it is necessary to turn up your HVAC system if you desire a unit that works perfectly without any hiccups. I know you might have probably heard from an air conditioner contractor or a friend or read online that it is not necessary; but then they will conclude by telling you that it is highly recommended, which means you will benefit from doing it right?
It might interest you to know that these people are only telling you what you want to hear, so instead of tossing away the benefits that come with AC Turn-up, why don’t you bury the thought of not Turning-up your AC?
Why do I need to Turn-up my AC
Like I said earlier, Turning-up your AC has some comes with certain benefits for you and your unit. These benefits are enough to prove that you need to Turn-up your AC. Some of these benefits include;
Improved energy efficiency
What many people don’t know is that routinely servicing or maintenance can reduce the amount of money they expend on energy bills. When you have debris or dirt buildup in your AC coil or filter, your unit will be working harder than it needs to; thereby leading to an upsurge in energy consumption and an increase in electricity bills.
Sometimes, this may come with noticeable signs (for example increase in the noise of your unit) and sometimes it will just happen with no apparent clue at all about what is going on. The only change you will notice is a spike in your electricity bill every month.
Prolonged lifespan
I may have said in my previous works on HVAC systems that certain units are not expensive compared to others; although that’s not wrong that doesn’t mean they are cheap. Setting up an HVAC is expensive and the thought of getting a new one to replace an existing one earlier than expected because it suddenly stops working is mindboggling.
When you Turn up your AC, it will be easy for you to detect any faulty component that needs to be repaired or replaced before the whole system suffers total damage. When your unit is working harder as a result of a faulty component, it will start to heat up; and when this happens, some other components can also be affected.
Improved air quality
Need I elaborate further about this? You know what? Never mind, I will in case you are a first-time reader.
As you use your AC unit, over time, dirt and debris get into your AC ducts, and with time, they start building up and as this continues unchecked for some time, it is only a matter of time before you start to breathe in unclean air which isn’t safe for you. But trust that’s not even the worse thing that could happen, when this dirt finds its way into your unit’s drain pipe that collects water, then you have finally created a breeding environment for molds and mildews and their next destination is your room. I know you don’t want that right?
Well, you had better start to Turn-up your AC so that your unit can stay clean and completely free from all germs and bacteria. And in exchange, you get to enjoy quality air and start living a comfortable life.
AC Turn-up vs maintenance
From the start of this article till this very moment, I have continuously used the words Turn-up and maintenance interchangeably; but the reality is they are two separate words with different techniques and meanings. Here are some differences between the two HVAC terminologies.
- Professionals use different tools for AC Turn-up and AC maintenance. While they may use Estwing Tinners Hammer during maintenance, they use cleaners, glues, and electrical wires for AC turn-up.
- Preventive maintenance is done per month or regularly, while Turn-up is done once a year. Mostly during springs and fall.
- Another noticeable difference between the two is the activities involved. Preventive maintenance involves checking for oil leaks, Thermostat inspection, Inspection of wiring and electrical components, Testing the safety control, and many others. While activities involved in AC Turn up may include; Checking the evaporator coil, Checking the condenser if needed, Inspection of contacts and relays, checking if the condensate drain is flowing uninterruptedly, and many others.
How much does an Air conditioning Turn-up cost
Air conditioning Turn-up may cost you between 75$ to 185$. Although it all depends on the size of your home, the type of AC unit, the checklist, and the age of your unit.
HVAC Turn-up checklist
The checklist for HVAC Turn-up include;
- Testing the thermostat and reviewing the settings.
- Adjusting of blower belt and motor accordingly.
- Changing of oil filter if necessary.
- Lubricating all moving parts.
- Fins straightening.
- Cleaning of condensate drain.
- Checking the controls.
- Cleaning of coils.
- Measuring the charge of the refrigerator and level.
What is done during an AC Turn-up
AC Turn-up consists of two major activities – Inspection and service and cleaning. During the inspection, technicians will check every component of the AC unit to confirm if they are working perfectly so that necessary adjustments can be made if needed.
The service and cleaning aspect involves replacing or repairing worn-out or faulty parts so that the unit can be brought back to good condition.
How to do an AC Turn-up
AC Turn-up is not as complicated as most people think; below are a few steps involved.
- Check the level of the refrigerant to make sure that the refrigerant level is not below the required standard.
- Wash the coil and check the filter as well (clean if necessary) to make sure that it is they are working as effectively as possible.
- Check whether the airflow is running as it should be.
How long does AC Turn-up take
Inspection, one of the processes involved in AC Turn-up takes about 1 hour or more to complete depending on your AC unit configuration. If the situation warrants proceeding to the next stage – servicing and cleaning, then it might take an additional 30 to 45 minutes. Therefore, an AC Turn-up will take you about 1 hour 45 minutes altogether.
Can I Turn-up AC myself
No, except you have electrical and mechanical knowledge. Even at that, you are still going to need the help of an expert because AC Turn-up is done with certain tools that only HVAC technicians can have. It is something that needs to be done once in a year anyway, so why don’t you just pass on the stress to those who are trained to tackle the rigorous activities involved?
Is it necessary to service AC every year
Yes, it is necessary to service your AC once every year so that your unit can work effectively year-round. Experts recommend that homeowners service their AC unit once a year (the same applies to heating systems) and preferably during spring. They also recommend that homeowners maintain a proper housekeeping routine regularly to keep their heating and cooling systems working effectively.
You may also want to know;
What are some signs that my AC needs to turn?
- It will become difficult to control the humidity level.
- Water leaks out from your AC unit.
- The airflow of your air conditioner may become weaker.
- You may start to perceive strange of our whenever you turn on your AC (most likely caused by clogged drain pipe)
- Your air conditioner is working lesser than it used to (cooling rate drops).
- Increase in electricity Bill due to high energy consumption.
- Your air conditioner becomes louder than it used to.
