Why maintenance for air conditioners is increasingly important

With the summer fast approaching and potential global warming impacts already upon us, the number of air conditioners is only continuing to explode. The AccuWeather predicts another above-normal heat forecast this summer across the United States. Luckily, regular maintenance for air conditioners, including air conditioner repair, has environmental, economic, and health benefits for Americans. Let’s look at the benefits of AC repair, the benefits of AC maintenance, and how HVAC service management software can play a role.

Environmental benefits

In theory, air conditioners consume a lot of energy, highlighting the need for energy efficiency. And although air conditioning is being used to counter the effects of global warming, it’s part of a vicious cycle. A large number of air conditioners sold around the world are extremely energy intensive. They consume electricity that is largely generated using CO2-emitting, coal-fired power stations. They also require toxic refrigerants, which contribute significantly to the greenhouse gas effect if and when they leak. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, roughly 76 million homes nationwide use central air-conditioning equipment and 13 million use heat pumps for cooling.

Having HVAC systems checked regularly helps them run longer and more efficiently. A periodic tune-up that involves changing filters or checking for leaks saves money in the long run due to reduced energy costs. Implementing service management software for HVAC will ensure timely, checked, and system running smoothly, thus improving the overall performance of the system while contributing to environmental sustainability.

Health benefits

While air conditioning units improve our living conditions, they can also harbor and spread germs. Since their job is to circulate the air in a room, they collect particles that float around in the air. Over time, filters clog up, reducing the airflow and causing bacteria to grow. Being enclosed in small spaces with an old air conditioner for long periods of time can actually exacerbate allergies and even asthma attacks in some people. Regularly inspecting HVAC systems by a technician will help them run at their best. This means less harmful bacteria will circulate, and fewer health issues will arise.

Basically, you want to work with HVAC technician software that ensures these inspections are thorough, take place on a proper schedule and are recorded with the highest degree of meticulousness possible to ensure overall system efficiency.

The COVID-19 health crisis is a good example of the impact of bad air circulation indoors. In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that staying indoors where indoor air quality isn’t adequate can actually increase the risk of virus transmission.

The technician’s job

An air conditioning maintenance contract typically includes annual service. The technician checks the unit’s pressure and optimizes air flow using HVAC service management software to match the person’s comfort level.

The technician will inspect the air ducts to detect potential leaks in outward and inward air flows. They’ll verify and clean the coils, fins, drains, and dirty air filters. They typically look for dirt and debris in and around the HVAC unit, using HVAC technician software to record and maintain such information effectively.

Why they need field service software to do their jobs better

Therefore, HVAC service management software becomes very important for air conditioning system technicians. Maintenance activities must be fully traceable with a complete history of the tasks carried out at each customer site. Historical data helps companies avoid any legal actions or fines that can result if service is not completed, or not completed properly, Additionally, it can aid in tracking and managing energy bills and utility bills effectively.

These capabilities ensure a high level of service quality and compliance with contractual commitments, making HVAC technician software indispensable for ensuring operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

HVAC technicians are in short supply

Air conditioning experts’ jobs are complex, highly regulated, and constantly evolving to meet new environmental and health-related requirements. Organizations representing HVAC management specialists suffer from a chronic shortage of technicians with particular skill sets.

Required skill sets

These technicians must possess a number of the following skills – plumbing and welding techniques, manipulating various devices for controlling pressure, temperature, and flow rates, and respecting all of the safety guidelines related to the handling of refrigerants.

One of these companies’ main challenges is attracting enough maintenance engineers with the right qualifications in HVAC systems, fluids, and thermal engineering to guarantee that installations function properly. Implementing the best HVAC management software can streamline this process by enhancing recruitment and training capabilities.

Additional skills

Technicians also need a number of personality traits including:

• Self-discipline
• Autonomy
• Good observation
• Interpersonal abilities
• Stress management

These skills help reassure customers that their systems are being taken care of. Customers dealing with barely decent working conditions or home environments due to a malfunctioning air conditioner aren’t the easiest to deal with. A technician needs to be able to understand their situation and empathize to provide the best possible service experience each and every time.

Praxedo’s best-of-breed FSM solution

As an HVAC service management company with technicians in the field, you want a best-of-breed HVAC invoicing software with specialized features that align with people, processes, and workflows. If you already use information systems that work, a best-of-breed FSM software easily connects to any CRM or ERP.

If you’re looking for more insightful reading material on how to stop reacting and start planning HVAC maintenance, check out our ebook here to learn more about the benefits of air conditioning maintenance.