Summer is just around the corner. That means cookouts, ball games and trips to the shore.

It also means running the air conditioner to keeps things cool inside so you can be comfortable during the day and you can sleep at night.

Air Conditioner Cleaning Service

Here are three simple tips about how you can save money on air conditioner cleaning service –

1. Change the filter
2. Get a maintenance inspection
3. Install a programmable thermostat

In addition, check here for Federal Air Conditioning Tax Credits.

“Filters are relatively inexpensive but they are vitally important for the safe, effective operation of your air conditioning system.“

Change the Filter

The first tip is the easiest and the cheapest but is often overlooked and can have a huge effect on your air conditioning budget. Make sure you periodically change your filter.

Filters are relatively inexpensive but they are vitally important for the safe, effective operation of your air conditioning system. Filters trap dust and dirt and keep your delicate coils from getting clogged and freezing.

Those coils transfer heat by passing hot, humid air over the coil’s colder cooling fins. This process is most efficient when there is plenty of unimpeded air flow over those cooling fins.

But if the filter is dirty and clogged, air flow can be almost completely blocked. This leads to freezing of humid air on the cold coils.

When that happens, not only will the air conditioner not cool your home, but eventually the built-up ice on the frozen coils will melt and flood your basement.

Get a Maintenance Inspection

The next tip in you air conditioner cleaning service is a thorough inspection by a license HVAC specialist. The technician can find any problems before they turn into a disaster and costly repairs.

At the scheduled date and time, the technician will arrive at your home and review the issues you are having with your air conditioning system. They will then inspect and diagnose those issues and present you with what needs to be done to resolve them along with a pricing quote to complete the work.

Often the technician will actually discover developing issues and suggest repairs before they become major problems. And sometimes, they can find problems with the original installation that may soon cause a breakdown or worse.

For example, on a recent inspection of a customer’s air conditioning system, a technician found that a coil duct was improperly installed. Moreover, the original installation technician attempted to repair the damage with duct tape.

Over time, this could have led to catastrophic failure and a big repair bill. This inspection tech was able to repair the damage at a fraction of the cost.

Now the system works perfectly.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Finally, one sure way to save on A/C spending is to raise the cooling temperature during peak use hours. This can easily be accomplished with a programmable thermometer.

That way, the temperature can automatically be adjusted during the day when you’re at work and overnight when you’re asleep. You can set it and forget it – and save money at the same time.

To learn more about thermostats, check this article by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Find a reputable company that has a current special offer on air conditioner cleaning service and give them a call. The tech can make sure your filter is changed, make sure your system is in tip-top shape and make sure you have the right thermostat to save you money and keep you cool.

R22 Refrigerant Replacement

So you have 3 choices to make about R22 refrigerant replacement –

1. Recharge
2. Retrofit
3. Replace

You may have already heard that R22 refrigerant will no longer be legal in the US after December 31st of this year. Since the early 90’s, R22 refrigerant (sold under the brand name Freon) has been phased-out because it’s harmful to the ozone layer.

Most air conditioning units that are older than 7 years use R22. In 2010, R22 was no longer manufactured or imported into the US. That means your R22 system is obsolete and can’t be repaired.

If you want to know all about air conditioner refrigerants, check out our article, The Secret About Air Conditioner Maintenance That’ll Keep You Up at Night.

Here’s what you can do.

Recharge

You may be fortunate that your R22 air conditioning system still works, keeping you nice and cool during those hot summer days.

Still, doing nothing about your R22 system is not really an option.

Here’s why.

Age eventually catches-up with an air conditioner. That’s why we recommend an annual air conditioner system inspection to repair any possible leak issues.

However, wear and tear at multiple joints in the system inevitably lead to a refrigerant leak. And when leaks do happen, they can be very expensive to fix. R-22 refrigerant is expensive – adding just 7 lbs of it could easily cost you $700.

And by the end of the year, you won’t be able to recharge your R22 system AT ALL, for any price.

Retrofit

The industry has changed from refrigerant technology from R22 to R410a, which you may know as Puron. R410a has a higher safety rating and doesn’t affect ozone at all. And it’s even more energy-efficiency than R22.

Unfortunately, you can’t just replace R22 with R420a without upgrading the equipment as well. A licensed HVAC tech has to replace the compressor, evaporator and condenser.

In addition, they must insure that the copper lines and seals can withstand the pressures of R410a. They may have to replace seals or re-braze connections.

And once that’s completed, they still have to painstakingly vacuum even last drop of moisture from the system. R410a breaks-down quickly if any trace of water is present.

In the end, most HVAC techs would not recommend spending the money to retrofit an old R22 system. Retrofitting a system, when done properly, can cost the homeowner as much, or more, than just buying a new unit that uses R410a. And in most cases, retrofitting an R22 system voids the warranty.

Replace

The most straightforward option is to buy a new R410a air conditioning system.

By installing a new air conditioning system with R-410A, you’ll enjoy some extra benefits:

You may qualify to take a deduction on your federal tax. In addition, many city governments offer tax credits toward property tax.

Since R410a is more efficient, you could save money on your monthly electric bill. Newer systems are also cheaper to maintain, adding even more savings.

If your system is older than 10 years, then you’ll likely benefit from just the efficiency improvements alone. Today’s technology requires far less electricity, and you’ll see the difference in your energy bill.

You can also feel better knowing your AC is environmentally friendly.

R22 Refrigerant Replacement – Not “If” But “When”

By December 31st of THIS YEAR, R22 refrigerant will no longer be available in the US. That leaves you with a decision to make:

Recharge, Retrofit or Replace.

You can cross your fingers and hope your old R22 system keeps working a little longer. But eventually, it will fail. When it does, you may not have time to shop around for the best replacement deal. That means you could end up spending more money than you have just to keep cool.

You can upgrade your current system to 410a. But that can be even more expensive and time-consuming than merely replacing it with system specifically designed to use 410a.

Replacing your old system means you can start enjoying the efficiency and energy savings of a modern air conditioning system today. Why wait?