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Keep Your Cool

Summer means air-conditioning, and American Energy Home Pros shares insight about ways to help your AC system do its job

Here we go—it’s 103 degrees outside at 5 p.m. on a Friday in June, and the air-conditioning isn’t working. Maybe it’s blowing tepid air or none at all, and that metal box in the yard isn’t sounding the way it should. Delays and dollar signs and sleepless nights start adding up, and whether you’re facing a simple repair (fingers crossed!) or need a whole new unit, what’s required is real help right away.

At American Energy Home Pros, they know all about this scenario—and how to prevent it. As a family-owned and -operated company serving the Sacramento and foothills regions for more than 40 years, the company strives to be a one-stop shop for all HVAC and plumbing needs. “The in-home service industry has become more high-pressure and transactional, with larger businesses charging top dollar and providing a poor customer experience,” says Matthew McGuire, owner/CEO of American Energy Home Pros. “We see this as an opportunity to earn customers for life.”

To do that, McGuire says, American Energy Home Pros provides an honest, transparent, personable, and zero-pressure experience for their customers. They’re as prompt as possible and keep in good contact with customers from start to finish, whatever the size and scope of the job.

As summer heats up, McGuire shares more about American Energy Home Pros—not only how they can help, but how the homeowner can keep their air-conditioning system going as long and efficiently as possible. 

Why do AC systems often fail during peak summer heat? 

Dirty or neglected systems struggle more when they are working at full capacity and have much less room for error. This puts a much heavier load on your compressor during peak summer months. AC systems need regular maintenance.

Should homeowners consider annual AC maintenance as a preventive checkup?

We think of annual AC maintenance similar to changing the oil in your car or getting an annual physical. As your system provides you years of comfort and reliable operation, you want to catch the small issues before they become expensive, disruptive problems. Protect your warranty, save money on energy bills, and extend the total life of your system.   

What are the most common issues you see that can be avoided with regular maintenance?

There are several common issues we will see when a system is not properly maintained—heavily impacted air filters being the most common. We recommend these are checked regularly and changed every two to three months. Dirty air filters can lead to dirty/impacted evaporator coils. Clogged condensate drains are a close second. This can cause backups and water damage. Basic component wear such as capacitors and contactors go unchecked and lead to larger electrical issues. Refrigerant loss from small leaks in the line set or coils causes a loss in efficiency and stresses the system’s compressor. Leaky ducts after years of use is another common issue easily resolved with regular maintenance. 

How does regular AC maintenance help lower energy bills and improve efficiency?

Maintenance allows us to keep your system clean and allow for consistent filter changeouts. Regular component checkups will always ensure your system operates at peak performance for years to come. 

How does routine maintenance impact the overall lifespan of an AC system?

Regular maintenance will ensure you have fewer repairs and avoid inefficient aging. We can prevent the smaller issues from becoming larger costly repairs down the road. 

How does AC maintenance affect indoor air quality and overall comfort in the home?

Clean coils and air filters translate to fewer airborne pollutants. Clean evaporator coils remove moisture effectively and reduce humidity. This reduces the ability for mold and mildew to thrive and directly affect your home’s air quality and comfort. 

What are a few simple maintenance tips homeowners can do themselves between professional visits?

The main tip we can provide any homeowner is to change air filters regularly. They become impacted sooner than you think. Clean filters = clean efficient systems. 

How often should homeowners schedule professional AC servicing?

Two visits per year is always recommended. Our team membership provides you two checkups per year. This will prevent surprise breakdowns. When you join American Energy’s team membership, we will handle the scheduling for you. Take care of your system and it will do the same in return!

 americanenergyair.com

We think of annual AC maintenance similar to changing the oil in your car or getting an annual physical.

The main tip we can provide any homeowner is to change air filters regularly. They become impacted sooner than you think.

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