Just like that, another winter is behind us and we’re ramping back into spring here in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield (IL). That also means it’s high time to look forward to an efficient and comfortable cooling season for the next six months.
As always, your community HVAC professionals at Air Dynamics are ready with the support and ideas for getting the most from your AC with the least amount of cost and energy use. Let’s dive right into some info and ideas to keep in mind this season.
AC Inspection & Maintenance: Temperature Trends
The #1 way to get the most AC performance for the least overall cost is to schedule your annual cooling-system inspection and tune-up, and early spring is always an optimal time. This top-to-bottom approach to proper AC function ensures that all key parts are intact and operative. It also determines if there are any potential trouble areas you can address while they’re still small.
Having efficient AC will be especially relevant as we continue watching weather trends in Illinois, where the average daily temperature has been inching up. According to the seasonal outlook from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the spring forecast for 2024 indicates that many states in the Midwest, including Illinois, are likely to experience above-average temperatures throughout March, April and May. Illinois specifically could see a 33% to 60% chance of warmer weather during this period.
Whether temperatures bump up or hold steady, having your inspection and tune-up completed early in the season will have you prepared to respond with comfort and ease.
AC Inspection & Maintenance: Industry Trends
The HVAC profession continues developing ways to enhance equipment and processes to keep us cool while providing sustainable AC solutions.
One current focus is decarbonization. For example, manufacturers are producing heat pumps that further reduce the carbon footprint while remaining energy-efficient.
Another leading regulatory item that concerns air conditioning is the switch to A2L refrigerants beginning on January 1, 2025. A2L refrigerants have a lower flammability rating as opposed to A3 ones such as propane, isobutane and hydrocarbons. A2L refrigerants are the second-safest class after A1.
Smaller HVAC appliances such as window AC units have been using A2Ls for years. The two main A2L refrigerants that will be included for home cooling systems will be
R-454B and R-32. Consequently, the reduction of refrigerants such as R-410A, R-134a and R04A also will lead to obvious shortages of them and consequently higher prices for AC systems that still run on them.
These developments factor into the next aspect of relevance for homeowners in Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield. As with costs for parts and materials, the expense of installing new HVAC systems has been steadily rising for the last few years. According to HVAC.com, replacing a 3-ton central air system in 2024 ranges from $4,000 to $8,000, with an average price of $5,570. An ultra–high efficiency 5-ton unit with a 20 SEER will usually cost between $10,000 and $15,000.
Unless you have an aging system that will need replacement soon (e.g. it’s 20 years old), taking good care of your current unit with annual maintenance can be financially sensible. It can help you prevent costly refrigerant leaks, too much strain on parts that are pricey to replace and the major expense of needing a new system too soon.
AC Inspection & Maintenance: What’s Included
When you schedule your annual spring AC inspection and maintenance with Air Dynamics, we will thoroughly examine your entire cooling system. That includes cleaning it and lubricating parts that might need it (e.g. the blower motor and fan).
Just a few other important elements of your AC inspection and maintenance include:
checking the air filter
cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils
checking and cleaning the drain line
inspecting, testing and tightening electrical components
checking refrigerant levels
evaluating system controls
checking the system ductwork
You can be your own advocate before and after your maintenance as well by being alert to any trouble signs in your system. If you suspect something’s not right, simply call us at Air Dynamics to discuss the symptoms.
Some common indicators of a system that needs attention include:
- little or no airflow
- warm or tepid air from the vents
- odd noises from within the system
- strange odors from the vents or ducts
- increasing energy bills
- damp or humid feeling in the air
- water leaks in system lines
- system not achieving correct temperature
It’s also important to check the air filter every 60 to 90 days and change it if needed. A dirty filter will reduce proper airflow and make the system work harder. It also will begin to compromise your overall air quality at home.
AC Inspection & Maintenance: Short- and Long-Term Benefits
Arranging your annual inspection and maintenance early in spring often gives you the advantage of being prepared for the cooling season before service and repair schedules start to really fill up.
Other benefits include:
potentially saving more on cooling costs while also conserving energy
contributing to a longer service life for your system
helping to prevent expensive repairs
often having swifter access to any parts that need to be ordered
keeping a current warranty active
AC Inspection & Maintenance: Contact Us Today
Air Dynamics enjoys being a community HVAC resource for Oswego, Yorkville, Naperville, Aurora and Plainfield (IL). Beyond providing you with professional system inspection and maintenance, we can discuss other ways to efficiently cool your home, such as with ductless mini-splits. Ask us about achieving greater indoor air quality too –just give us a call at (630) 731-1550!
