Making sure your A/C unit is keeping your home cool
With temperatures in the 100’s homeowners should make sure their Air Conditioning unit is working properly and not wasting energy. James Moore, president of Dragonfly Mechanical Inc., has worked in the industry since the 1980’s and says he receives a majority of his calls right now on Air Conditioning systems that have stopped working or are struggling to keep up.
Even though, some breakdowns are unavoidable no matter what homeowners do to prevent them, Moore recommends, “many System Stoppers can be avoided by having the system checked and tuned.” He also recommends a regularly performed maintenance program to extend the useful life of any machine. Air Conditioning systems should be serviced once a season, every 6 months. March, April, or May are good months to check on cooling systems and October, November, or December are recommended for heating maintenance.
There are several ways homeowners can save money on their energy bill this August. “The most affordable way is to have regular maintenance of air conditioning unit. Higher seer ( Seasonal Energy Effeciency Rating) units are another way for long term savings. Proper attic insulation and venting also play an important role, as does proper windows with drapes and shades.” Suggest James Moore.
”If the system is over ten years old and needs a major repair or component replaced, that is a great time to upgrade to a higher Seer system,” explains James Moore.
The owner’s long term plans for the house also is a factor. “I have seen systems run twenty years or more, however most of the “Middle of the Road” or “Builder Models” installed today will only last about twelve years. The higher end models will last eighteen to twenty years with proper installation and maintenance.”
Due to the nature of these high powered systems, the most important thing a homeowner can do is call a trusted contractor. Research and consulting with a Texas licensed mechanical contractor is the best way to choose the system that will serve homeowner needs.
Monica Pena
Austin Times Staff
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