How Often Should Your AC Be Serviced Before Summer?

In Las Vegas, Nevada, the Mojave Desert heat makes annual AC maintenance essential for homeowners. With summer temperatures that reach triple digits, reliable air conditioning is needed for safety and comfort.

So, if you’re asking yourself how often to service your AC unit, keep reading. We’re going to explain how an AC maintenance schedule helps prevent mid-summer breakdowns. Preventative maintenance ensures that your AC is operating efficiently and is ready for high demand during spring and summer. Let’s dive into how often your AC should be serviced in Las Vegas.

How Often Should an AC Be Serviced?

When deciding how often to service an AC unit, it’s important to consider the climate you live in. An AC should be serviced at least once a year. Annual AC maintenance helps technicians identify and resolve any issues before seasons of heavy use. In extreme climates, like Las Vegas, it’s recommended to get your AC unit serviced twice a year.

What Is Included in an AC Maintenance Schedule?

If you schedule routine maintenance with a professional HVAC technician, here’s what to expect.

Coil Cleaning

An HVAC technician will clean the evaporator and condenser coils to remove buildup restricting heat transfer. This improves efficiency and prevents unnecessary strain on the system.

Electrical Inspection

The technician will also inspect electrical components, such as capacitors, contactors, and wiring for wear or damage. They will make repairs if necessary to prevent safety issues and unexpected failures.

Refrigerant Level Check

The HVAC technician will check to ensure refrigerant is filled to the manufacturer's specifications. Having the right amount of refrigerant supports better cooling performance and prevents damage to the compressor.

Filter Evaluation

They will also check your air filters to see if they are clogged or dirty and need replacement. Clean air filters support proper airflow and better indoor air quality.

Thermostat Calibration

The technician will also test and calibrate your thermostat to ensure that temperature controls are working, and your system is cycling properly. Thermostat calibration prevents short cycling and supports consistent temperatures.

Why AC Maintenance Is More Important in Las Vegas

Annual AC maintenance is especially important in Las Vegas for several reasons, including:

• Triple digit temperatures: Las Vegas often experiences triple digit temperatures throughout the summer season. This puts strain on your AC system to try to keep up with cooling demands.
• Long runtime cycles: Due to extreme temperatures, ACs in Las Vegas generally have long runtime cycles which increases wear on internal components.
• Dust accumulation: The dry desert soil leads to higher levels of dust and debris, which can clog air filters and restrict airflow, reducing efficiency. Dust accumulation can even lead to overheating and system failure.
• Electrical strain: Air conditioners in high heat places run almost constantly, which puts strain on electrical components like capacitors and contactors. This increases the chance of electrical failure over time.

What Happens If You Skip Annual AC Maintenance?

Skipping annual AC maintenance puts your AC at risk of breaking down in the middle of summer. Preventative maintenance ensures that your air conditioner is in top shape for summer’s heavy use.

Additionally, skipping routine AC maintenance can result in:

• Reduced efficiency: Your AC likely won’t work as efficiently as it should if it is put under strain from dirty air filters or coils. Restricted airflow forces the system to work harder than necessary to meet cooling demand.
• Higher energy costs: When your system isn’t running efficiently, it consumes more energy, leading to higher energy bills.
• Component wear: Components like the compressor, blower motor, and capacitors are strained when not well-maintained, shortening equipment lifespan.
• Increased breakdown risk: There’s a higher likelihood of a breakdown if issues are left undetected.
• Emergency repair likelihood: Skipping routine maintenance allows problems to go unnoticed until they cause a shutdown. This results in higher service costs for emergency repairs in the heat of summer.

When Should You Schedule AC Service Before Summer?

In Las Vegas, you should schedule AC maintenance sometime between March and May each year. This is typically before the desert climate reaches consistent 90°+ temperatures. Scheduling during this pre-season window ensures your system is ready before the full heat of summer.

Proactive timing helps you avoid unexpected breakdowns during heatwaves and enables technicians to catch issues early. It gives technicians time to address issues like low refrigerant levels, worn electrical components, or airflow restrictions before they turn into major problems. If you wait until summer, you may encounter longer service wait times, higher demands for repairs, and a risk of breakdown in peak heat.

BEST Air Conditioning Plumbing Repair offers AC maintenance for Las Vegas homeowners. Our HVAC technicians are experts in AC installs in Las Vegas and repair services. We offer fast, reliable service to keep your air conditioner in excellent condition leading up to the summer.

Schedule an appointment online or call us at (702) 970-4911!