Summer: the season of warm sunshine, cold drinks, and sitting lakeside until the fireflies come out. But with summer also comes the season’s biggest nuisance — cottonwood.
It’s stuck in your hair, coating the surface of your swimming pool, and landing dangerously close to the plate of burgers you just grilled. Even more frustrating, though, is when it makes its way into your air conditioning unit. All summer long, cottonwood has accumulated — and when paired with dust, dirt, and other allergens, your A/C system could most likely use a little TLC to end the season.
Signs You Might Need an Air Conditioner Tune-Up
An air conditioner tune-up is a great way to ensure you finish the summer out strong — or cool, at the very least. Here in Minnesota, we have more cottonwood trees than we do lakes, and it’s common for us to get calls towards the end of summer that the accumulation has become too much for some units, leading to equipment failure and costly repairs. But by getting an A/C tune-up to clean the cottonwood out proactively, you can prevent the problems before they begin.
After working hard all season long to keep your home comfortable, your air conditioner may also be showing irregularities that have you Googling “A/C tune-up near me” and “A/C tune-up specials.” Some clear signs you might need an air conditioning tune-up include:
- Warm air
- Weak airflow
- Unusual sounds
- Strange smells
- Increased energy bills
- Leaks
Even if you aren’t noticing any of the above, an A/C tune-up can make sure you won’t experience them anytime soon.
What Happens During an A/C Tune-Up?
At Joel Smith Heating & Air Conditioning, every air conditioner tune-up appointment begins with a comprehensive inspection of your air conditioner. We also thoroughly clean your unit — removing cottonwood, dirt, dust, and other particles in the process — and lubricate any moving parts, as needed. This is an essential step, as cottonwood or other kinds of buildup will cause your air conditioner to use more energy and put unnecessary stress on your unit. You’d be surprised how often we see relatively new units break down when they aren’t properly maintained!
Our experts will also examine your system to see what’s working properly and what could be working better. Coils, ductwork, and electrical components are all inspected to ensure both safety and efficiency, and your air filters are checked to see if it’s time for a replacement. Once we identify what your unit requires — whether it’s replacement parts or additional freon — our team can take care of it with your authorization for an additional cost.
5 Benefits of an Air Conditioner Tune-Up
An A/C tune-up isn’t just a preventative measure — there are tangible benefits to having a professional service your air conditioning unit, such as:
- Better Cooling: One of the most common calls we get related to air conditioners is that a unit isn’t cooling as well as it used to. Even if you haven’t noticed a difference, you might be surprised by just how well your A/C cools right after a tune-up!
- Increased Efficiency: Not only will tuned-up air conditioners cool better — they’ll also cool faster and more efficiently, leading to lower energy bills without sacrificing comfort.
- Extended Unit Lifespan: Your air conditioning unit was an investment — and regular tune-ups can help it last even longer!
- Fewer Breakdowns: Picture this: it’s the hottest day of the year, and you just happen to have company over. The last thing you want is your A/C unit breaking down.
- Peace of Mind: The only thing worse than a broken-down air conditioner is the constant fear that your unit could give out at any moment. Sleep easier with an A/C tune-up!
Joel Smith HVAC Can Help You Stay Comfortable Year-Round
Here at Joel Smith Heating & Air Conditioning, we’ve been helping families in the Twin Cities enjoy optimal comfort since 1994. Our team of professionals has the knowledge, experience, and attention to detail needed to find and fix A/C problems before they start — so you can spend less time worrying about the air conditioning and more time enjoying these final days of summer. To learn more about A/C tune-ups, get in touch with Joel Smith HVAC by calling (763) 792-1066 or by sending us a message online. Your air conditioning, family, and guests will all thank you!