Air conditioning makes the hot, humid summers tolerable, but after a long winter, your unit may need a bit of TLC to prepare it for heavy use during warm weather. Unfortunately, your system can experience some problems as a result of lack of use during the winter months. A few simple maintenance tasks can help to ensure your air conditioner is ready when you need it. Here are 7 smart ways to check your AC’s condition after winter to ensure it is in optimal condition for summer use.
1 – Check the Outside Pad
The outdoor portion of your air conditioning system sits on a concrete pad outside of your home. This pad be flat and held securely to the ground for your system to operate correctly. Inspect the pad for any cracks or unevenness that might affect the proper operation of your air conditioning system. Consult with an HVAC contractor if you find a problem. Remove any vines or plant growth that is intruding on the concrete pad and outside unit.
2 – Remove Debris From Around Outside Unit and Clean
Harsh winter winds can blow debris onto your property, which can collect around the outside unit of your air conditioning system and interfere with normal operation. Inspect all sides of the unit carefully and remove any loose paper, dead leaves, twigs, plastic sheeting, or other matter that might block proper airflow to the unit.
3 – Trim Plants Away From the Outside Unit
Check shrubs, bushes, and trees around your outdoor air conditioning unit to ensure that branches and leaves not encroaching on the equipment and preventing good airflow to the system.
4 – Check the Drain Line
Inspect the drain line to ensure there are no clogs in the system so that your unit can keep running without a problem. Your local HVAC contractor can ensure your system is running correctly.
5 – Change the Air Filter
Remove the air filter from your home’s interior vent. Make note of how dirty it is, because this can tell you how frequently you need to change the filter for optimal operation of your unit. Home experts recommend changing the air conditioning filter every few months, but your system may need more frequent filter changes.
6 – Check the System Coolant
Although adding coolant is a job for your HVAC contractor, homeowners can check to see if coolant levels are sufficient for the warmer weather. You will find two copper pipes coming out of your outside unit. The larger pipe should feel cold to the touch. If it does not, your system may be low on coolant and need attention from a qualified HVAC technician.
7 – Set the Thermostat For Summer Comfort
Finally, inspect your wall thermostat to see if it is operating correctly. Change the batteries in the unit and set the thermostat to the temperature your family likes best for summer weather. A computerized thermostat will allow you to set the temperature for various times of day automatically, which can save you money on energy bills.
These easy tips will prepare your air conditioning unit for sustained use during the hot summer period. They will help to ensure your unit is functioning well, with no obstructions that will impede optimum efficiency, so you can save money on energy bills and enjoy comfortable indoor temperatures throughout the summer.