A/C experts emphasize importance of summer HVAC maintenance

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — With the summer heat approaching residents across the Valley will need to ensure their air condition units are functioning to beat the heat.

Proper maintenance of heating and cooling systems can save homeowners from unexpected breakdowns and costly repairs.

"Within the past weeks, we've had extreme amounts of service calls," said Christopher Esparza, service manager at American A/C.

High call volumes are expected during the summertime, as Esparza advises people to do maintenance twice a year, once before winter and once before summer.

Summer maintenance means changing out filters and making sure the A/C unit's drain line is clear and the outdoor condenser unit is properly cleaned. Esparza also said home insulation is a key factor in saving money on your HVAC bill.

“At the end of the day, when it gets over 110 degree index it becomes very difficult for an air conditioner to even keep up," Esparza said. "Similar to when you get in your vehicle and you turn your air conditioner on in your vehicle, it takes a while for it to even penetrate and for you to feel cool."

The possibility of needing A/C repairs can bring a lot of stress to Valley residents who can't afford it. A repair bill can potentially be thousands of dollars, but some businesses like American A/C and Heating provide monthly payment plans depending on the income of the customer.

"The different options that we have work for the customer's needs, so if the customers have low credit scores we try to work with them," Jeremiah Garza, an American A/C and Heating employee said.

Another reason for high prices is user error. Garza said one common mistake he's noticed is people turning off their air conditioning when they leave the house in an attempt to save money, which results in the air conditioner having to use more energy when it is turned back on.