Rugged as it is, your air conditioning equipment (or heat pump) can lull you into an unwarranted sense of complacency because it almost always responds as you would expect when you need it. Rarely of course, that may not always happen, as is the case with most complicated machinery. But, even as with your automobile, a routine annual checkup may not just head off disappointment when you need your air conditioning the most, it can restore efficiency and save you money in the long run.

Without regular maintenance, your air conditioner loses some 5% of its original efficiency each year you use it. So, for example, a unit you bought a few years ago with a 12 SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) may be running as a 9 SEER unit today. Regular tune-ups could restore 95% of your unit’s original efficiency, which translates into energy savings as well

as performance that maintains the comfort level you really want in your home. And regular maintenance can head off major breakdowns as well as extend the life of your air conditioning equipment.

One of the most common, but fixable, problems a check up might reveal is a drop in coolant level. If you’re 10% low on coolant, your operating costs could run 20% more than they should. Replenishing coolant requires special procedures that only certified qualified technicians can do because of laws designed to protect the environment; this can be part of a thorough routine checkup that includes inspection, cleaning and oiling; checking and adjusting connections and belts; and confirming operating temperatures and pressures. Most contractors offer annual plans that will automatically remind you of the need for seasonal checkups.