Understanding Your Air Conditioning Unit’s Seasonal Schedule

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Regular AC seasonal maintenance keeps your appliance operating at top efficiency with indoor temperature and air quality controlled at comfortable levels. Depending on your air conditioner type and the climate zone you live in, your AC may be heavily used all year round or only during the summertime. Understanding your air conditioning unit’s seasonal schedule can help you lower energy bills and extend appliance life.

Why You Need a Seasonal Schedule for Your AC

Keeping your home temperature at optimum levels is entirely dependent on your HVAC equipment. If your air conditioning fails during hot weather, your indoor climate can become unbearable. The right time to schedule maintenance of your equipment is before peak season, when you may need it constantly.

Setting up an excellent seasonal schedule for your air conditioning unit will be centered around you and your family’s activities and needs in and out of the home. For example, during winter, you may want your reverse cycle air conditioning to start warming rooms 30 minutes before you’re due home from work. Likewise, you may want to begin cooling the house during summer at a very different start time. And if you happen to be working from home, you may need a completely different schedule to operate.

By controlling the duration that your cooling appliances run each day, you can minimize your energy costs. Equally, keeping your air conditioning unit running smoothly by scheduling AC seasonal maintenance can also save you money in the long run.

Using Smart Controls, Timers, and Programmable Thermostats for Different Seasons

Scheduling is easy with contemporary smart controls and programmable thermostats. However, it’s best if you first decide precisely when and for how long you want your AC unit to run each season. Energy usage is an area where you can almost certainly save money. The US Department of Energy states that you can save at least 10% off your energy bills by simply setting your thermostat back by seven to ten degrees for a few hours a day.

So, how might a programmable air conditioning schedule be set up? An example daily schedule could be as follows:

  • Turn off air conditioning 30 minutes before leaving home for work
  • Turn on the air conditioning unit 30 minutes before you’re due back home
  • Turn up the thermostat by 10 degrees 30 minutes before bedtime, and
  • Turn down the thermostat temperature setting by ten degrees when you’re expected to wake up.

Programmable thermostats and other smart controls allow you to set multiple daily settings and daily and weekly schedules. So, for instance, you can have a plan for Monday to Friday with a different set of timings for the weekend. You’ll just need to change the schedules seasonally.

Do Different Types of Air Conditioning Units Need Different Maintenance Schedules?

Taking control of your energy use involves you understanding how your specific type of air conditioning equipment operates and its maintenance requirements. Professional servicing is recommended at least annually for split systems, central air conditioning, portable units, and wall-mounted units.

On the other hand, a reverse cycle unit may be heavily used for most of the year and need two separate services. Preparing for warm weather means giving the appliance a thorough clean, removing debris, and ensuring no blockages to air vents. Winter maintenance is similar but emphasizes lubrication so that parts continue to operate during freezing weather.

There’s one thing that all types of air conditioners share in terms of AC seasonal maintenance, and that is to have air filters regularly changed. When in use, it’s recommended that the filters be changed every 90 days.

What Should be Done During AC Seasonal Maintenance?

When you hire a professional air conditioning company in Northern Virginia to service your equipment, you should expect the following:

  •  Fins inspected and cleaned
  •  Indoor and outdoor coils inspected and cleaned
  •  Drain lines flushed
  •  Drain pans and piping checked
  • Thermostat and controls checked and adjusted where required
  •  Bearings and motors lubricated
  •  Filters are checked and changed if necessary, and
  •  Loose electrical connections tightened.

You should also expect that service by technicians is carried out courteously and professionally.

Increase Your Air Conditioning Units Lifespan

Neglecting AC seasonal maintenance will result in your air conditioning equipment deteriorating, becoming inefficient, and eventually failing. At Briggs HVAC in Northern Virginia, we have built a solid reputation for quick and thorough air conditioning service and repairs. Get in touch to see how our scheduled maintenance plans can extend the life of your heating and cooling equipment.