Things To Do Before You Turn On Your Air Conditioner

We’re approaching those hot summer months, so it’s time to think about keeping your home cool and comfortable. And what steps you can do now, to be ready to turn that good ole, refreshing Air Conditioner on!

• Check the exterior air conditioning unit. While you are cleaning up the yard in the spring, don’t forget to inspect your outdoor A/C unit. Clear away any debris that has gathered around it, like leaves and twigs. These things can impede the efficiency of your A/C. Make sure all the panels are there and securely fastened, the winter weather could have loosened them with high winds. And don’t forget to check your refrigerant lines. There should be insulation wrapped around your refrigerant line running into your home. If it’s cracked or damaged, you’ll need to replace it.

• It’s time to change the air filter again. It’s recommended you change your air filter every 3 months, and it’s a good idea to change it around January, so odds are it’s falling into your rotation. Though, if you have pets or allergies, then it might be a good idea to make it a change every 2 months. The filter traps contaminants and dust, so you want to keep that clean to keep your system running at maximum efficiency. You could also consider getting your ducts cleaned at this time, so you have clean air that is free of dust.

• Check your drain line. Make sure your drain line is clean and free of buildup. If it gets blocked, the water could back up in the drain pan and could overflow causing water damage to the surrounding area. If your drain line is dirty, you can flush the drain with a water and bleach combo (1 cup bleach added to 1 gallon of water). If you’re unclear on how to do this, check your manual or call a professional to do it for you.

• Test your system early. To avoid being without a properly functioning air conditioning system at the start of the hot, summer months, turn your system on in the Spring. Make sure all the rooms are getting cool air flow out of the vents, check the exterior A/C unit to make sure the fan is working and the air is blowing out. Also, listen to irregular noises, indicating something may be broken. Run the system for about 15 minutes to ensure everything is working properly.

• Update your thermostat. If you’ve been thinking about upgrading to a new thermostat, now is a good time to do so. If you upgrade to a smart thermostat, it can help reduce costs in the summer months. These thermostats can be programmed to turn on and off when you aren’t home and to start cooling before you come home. So, you can come home to a comfortable temperature without the house having been blasted with cool air all day, causing higher utility bills.

• Get a maintenance checkup for your A/C. Call a professional to come do the full run through on your system, they can replace any parts that are damaged and give your system a cleaning and over all tune-up. They will get it in shape to run uninterrupted all summer.

If you’d like to schedule maintenance or if you need a repair done to your HVAC, give us a call at Priority Heating and Cooling today!