Snowbirds are people who spend their winters in Florida, and most snowbirds arrive during October. If you’re a snowbird, you might have a list of things you must do each fall when you arrive at your winter home.

One thing you should consider adding to your list is annual AC maintenance. Florida’s climate is warm most of the year, which means you’ll probably need to use your air conditioner all winter if you want to stay cool.

To ensure that your system runs properly, you might want to schedule maintenance services on your device when you arrive. If you’ve never done this before, here are nine things you should know about annual AC maintenance. 

1. You Can Handle Some Tasks Yourself

You might not realize that you can do a few things yourself to maintain your central AC system. The first thing is to change your air filters regularly. You might need to do this every one to three months, depending on how dirty they get. 

Next, you can clean your air vents by removing them and vacuuming them. You can also hire an HVAC company to clean your vents annually. 

Finally, you can go outside to the outdoor part of your AC system to clean it. When cleaning it, remove any foliage that is touching it. If you see leaves or debris in it, remove the items. Keeping this part clean is essential for your system. 

2. Annual AC Maintenance Includes Cleaning the System

When you hire a company for annual AC maintenance, the service will include many steps. One step is cleaning your system. You might not realize how dirty your AC system can get, so cleaning it is essential. 

As the system pulls in air to cool, it filters the air. Some of the debris from the air gets trapped in the system, though. As a result, you’ll have a much cleaner AC system if you hire a company to perform annual maintenance. 

3. Your Coolant Level Might Run Low

Getting annual maintenance is also essential for checking the coolant level. The coolant in the system is necessary for cooling your air. If the coolant runs low, your system might not cool your air enough. 

You might not realize that your coolant is low unless you know the signs that indicate low coolant levels. If you want to avoid coolant issues, hire a company for AC maintenance. 

If they discover that your coolant level is low, they will add more. The technician will also inspect the device to determine if there is a leak present. 

4. A Clean System Runs More Efficiently

One of the benefits of AC maintenance is that your system will run more efficiently. When a system doesn’t have to fight against dust and debris, it runs more efficiently. A system also runs better when all the parts are working correctly. 

If you never get your system checked, it might not offer efficient cooling services. Instead, it might run more than it should be, and it might not cool your house enough. 

5. The Company Can Fix the Parts

During AC maintenance, a technician will carefully check and test every part in your AC system. If the technician finds any worn-out parts, they will replace them. If they discover parts that are close to wearing out, they will also replace those.

The benefit of this is that your system will run better. It will run more efficiently when it has parts that work properly. 

6. Maintenance Prevents Outages

Another top benefit of AC maintenance is it prevents outages. If you’ve ever had your AC system stop working, it probably occurred on one of the hottest days of the year. AC systems rarely stop working during cool spells. 

If you have a company check your system yearly and repair and replace all the necessary parts, you’ll have a lower chance of the system breaking. If you never want to experience an outage with your system, hire a company for annual services.

7. A Dirty System Is a Fire Hazard 

It’s also important to know that having a dirty AC system is a fire hazard. If your indoor or outdoor parts of your system collect too much dust, dirt, or debris, it could lead to a fire. 

While AC system fires are rare, they are usually preventable. Keeping your system clean is one of the most effective ways to prevent fires, and preventing fires is much better than dealing with a house fire. 

8. Your System Will Have a Longer Lifespan

Central AC systems tend to last for many years, and they will always last longer when they receive the correct types of maintenance. If you spent a lot of money replacing your system, you might want to avoid replacing it again. 

If your system is old and barely working, this might be a sign that it is time to replace your system. If it’s not that old, though, and if it still works well, maintaining it could help it last for many years. 

Extending the lifespan of your AC system doesn’t require much. It does require annual maintenance services, though.

9. You’ll Save Money With Proper Maintenance 

The last thing you should know is that proper maintenance helps you save money in the long run. Annual AC maintenance services are not expensive, and you might want to consider these costs an investment. 

Investing a little bit of money into your system each year can help you save money in several ways. First, it helps you cut your utility bills. Your AC system will run less if it’s clean and operating properly.

Secondly, it helps you save money on repair bills and service calls. If you keep up with the system’s maintenance, you’ll likely prevent needing repairs. 

Schedule AC Maintenance Today

As you prepare to head to Florida for the winter, you might want to schedule annual AC maintenance when you arrive. Maintaining your system is vital for efficiency, operations, and costs.