Get Your HVAC Ready for Summer with Preventive Maintenance

March 23, 2019

The hot, dry summers of Palm Desert, California, tax even the best heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. To ensure that your HVAC unit is able to deliver cool air throughout the summer months, schedule a preventive maintenance checkup with your HVAC contractor. Tune-ups help your system run efficiently, lower utility bills and reduce the likelihood of breakdowns on hot summer days.

Elements of HVAC Maintenance

During a tune-up, a licensed HVAC technician will look at each component of your system. According to Energy Star, a cooling unit checkup should include:

Calibrating the thermostat.
Cleaning evaporator and condenser coils.
Cleaning or replacing the filter.
Lubricating fans, motors and other moving parts.
Cleaning the condensate system.
Checking the refrigerant.
Adjusting the blowers for optimum airflow.
Ensuring the controls operate properly.
Checking the ducts for leaks and poor joints.

Benefits of Preventive Maintenance

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, heating and cooling account for 31 percent of energy usage in homes in California. However, the extreme climate of the Palm Desert area often demands more energy to keep the indoors comfortable.

Tune-ups ensure that air conditioners work at peak efficiency. Seasonal maintenance can save up to 30 percent on annual energy bills. Simply cleaning the filter can reduce energy usage by 5 to 15 percent. Leaking ducts lose up to 30 percent of the air flowing through them. Sealing and repairing ducts reduces energy loss and improves comfort.

An added benefit of regular tune-ups is that equipment will last longer. Air conditioners should last approximately 10 to 12 years. Poorly maintained units require more frequent repairs and may need to be replaced before the end of the expected service life.

Palm Desert Air Conditioning and Heating Co.’s Comfort Club

At Palm Desert Air Conditioning and Heating, we know how to optimize equipment to save energy without loss of indoor comfort. Our service contracts keep your heating and cooling equipment in tip-top shape.

To schedule a maintenance checkup or join our Comfort Club HVAC Maintenance Plan, call (760) 610-0297.