How Routine Air Conditioning Service Can Reduce AC Repair Costs

Air conditioning is important for countless homes during the blistering summer months in Fort Lauderdale. However, the costs associated with running an AC are substantial. Find out how routine air conditioning service can minimize AC repair costs, and learn energy-saving habits to help your unit run more efficiently. With these tips, you’ll have a comfortable home this summer without spending a lot.

What Routine AC Service Involves

Air conditioning maintenance is a low-cost, predictable annual charge that pays you back by reducing repair costs and extending your unit’s life span. Here are some vital maintenance steps that help protect against air conditioner breakdowns:

  • Change the air filter: A dirty filter obstructs airflow and causes your air conditioner to work harder, consuming more energy and increasing the risk of overheating. Changing your air conditioner’s dirty air filter with a clean one as part of your annual maintenance appointment, and every 30 to 90 days throughout the year, promotes optimal airflow and efficiency.
  • Clean the condenser coil: The exterior condenser coil releases heat absorbed by the refrigerant. If it’s covered with cobwebs, grass clippings and other debris, the heat transfer process is diminished. Cleaning the condenser coil boosts the unit’s function substantially, reducing wear and tear on your air conditioner that could bring on breakdowns.
  • Straighten the coils’ fins: The aluminum fins on the evaporator and condenser coils can become bent, reducing airflow and decreasing performance.  Fixing the fins with a fin comb rearranges them to their original position to regain proper airflow.
  • Lubricate moving parts: Friction in the motor and other moving parts generates heat and causes excessive wear and tear.  Regular lubrication diminishes friction, ensuring smooth operation and lowering the need for repairs.
  • Check refrigerant levels: A low refrigerant charge is another reason why your AC can freeze up, resulting in longer run times, comfort problems and unnecessary AC repairs. A technician uses specialized tools to investigate and adjust refrigerant levels as needed to ensure proper operation and prevent a mid-season breakdown.

Other Ways to Reduce AC Repair Costs

Annual maintenance is a key factor in lessening AC repair costs, but here are some other techniques to help your air conditioning unit operate faithfully all summer long:

  • Turn the temperature up: Raising the temperature on the thermostat setting limits the wear and tear on your cooling system.  Find a comfortable temperature and avoid setting the thermostat any lower.
  • Invest in a programmable thermostat: When set correctly, a programmable thermostat helps control your home’s temperature more efficiently, reducing the strain on your AC unit. It’s a good idea to schedule setback periods of 7 to 10 degrees while you’re away or sleeping to save yourself on energy costs and further reduce wear and tear.
  • Seal air leaks: Gaps and cracks around the edges of windows and doors permit warm, humid air inside. Try using caulk and weatherstripping to avoid overworking your air conditioning unit.
  • Put in additional insulation: A proper attic insulation level promotes stable indoor temperatures and lessens your AC’s workload. If you can observe the attic floor or joists poking through the current insulation, add more.
  • Stop solar heat gain: The sun’s heat warms your home, increasing cooling demand. Putting in window coverings and closing the blinds or shades during the hottest part of the day blocks solar heat gain and lowers the danger of a mid-season breakdown.
  • Try using ceiling fans: The wind chill effect provided by ceiling fans makes a room feel about 4 degrees cooler, which allows you to raise the thermostat setting without losing comfort. It’s a good idea to shut the fan off when you leave the room, as fans cool people, not spaces.
  • Use a dehumidifier: For those who live in a humid part of North America, high humidity levels can make your home feel cool but clammy, motivating you to turn down the temperature. A whole-house dehumidifier eliminates unwanted moisture, giving your air conditioner a much-needed break.
  • Make sure your vents are not obstructed: Closed or blocked air vents throw off the balance of return and supply air, which may cause your HVAC system to break down. To avoid this, always keep at least 80 percent of your registers open, and make sure no furniture, curtains or rugs unintentionally hinder airflow. Enhance circulation further by opening the doors between the rooms in your home as much as possible.
  • Invest in an energy-efficient air conditioner: If your air conditioning system is more than 10 years old, start thinking about upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. In addition to improved efficiency, a new system is also much less likely to break down or encounter maintenance issues than an older unit, bringing down your repair bills in the long run.

Schedule HVAC Service in Fort Lauderdale

By investing in regular air conditioning maintenance and implementing other recommended home-cooling habits, you’ll enjoy a comfortable interior with lower repair costs this summer. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning offers top-notch air conditioner tune-ups to boost efficiency and lengthen your air conditioner’s life span. We can also upgrade your AC unit if yours is getting up there in age.

Savings For You

See All Offers Here >
Offer

10% OFF FOR ACTIVE DUTY OR VETERANS

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE!

10% OFF Any Product or Service*
For all Active-Duty, Retired, and Veteran Military Personnel 

  • It’s our way of thanking you for your courage, dedication, and sacrifice to protect our freedom
  • All worked performed by licensed experts, and backed by a written, 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Service Experts is proud to be affiliated with Military Makeover and Hiring Our Heroes

print
Offer

THREE LIMITED-TIME WAYS TO SAVE WITH AN ADVANTAGE PROGRAM BUNDLE

  • Bundle two HVAC systems through the Advantage Program and save $20 a month!
  • Bundle an HVAC and a Water Heater or Water Treatment System through the Advantage Program and save $15 a month!
  • Bundle a Water Heater a Water Treatment System or Indoor Air Quality through the Advantage Program and save $10 a month!

print

© 2025 Service Experts, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning, and the Service Experts logo and design are registered trademarks of Service Experts LLC and used under license by SE Canada Inc. All Rights Reserved. *Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.

Chat with a Service Experts Professional