5 Simple Ways to Prepare Your AC for the Summer
Summer is finally here and staying cool is more than necessary as the high summer temperatures hit. There is no better way to beat the summer heat than cooling off with properly functioning air conditioning at home.
AC units require maintenance and repair as does any other mechanical unit, and you must follow certain steps to prepare them for use. For this reason, it’s time to prepare your air conditioning for the summer season and the long sizzling days. Below, we provide a list of simple ways how to prepare your AC for the summer and avoid making it break down or leak.
Turn The Air Conditioner On
If you live in a warm climate, your AC is probably on full blast most of the time. However, if you live somewhere where there’s a cooler climate during the winter season, for instance, in Canada, many months may have passed since you last turned on your AC. This is why the first thing you should do is to turn the AC on and check the air that comes out of the vents.
If the air coming out is cold, it’s a good sign that the air conditioner is working properly. If not, then this is the first sign that something is not right. If you’re unable to figure out what exactly the problem is, you might want to call an HVAC professional. If, for example, you happen to live in Ontario, search for the best heating and air conditioning Hamilton-based team of certified technicians who offer round-the-clock service, HVAC expertise and quality work that homeowners can rely on.
Clean The Unit and Filter
The first step in preparing your AC for the summer is to review the inner part of the cooling unit and the filter. For the AC to work optimally, both the unit and the filter need to be free of dust and dirt. It is best to clean these before turning off your AC for the season, but you should also check the unit before turning it on again before the summer. If dirt and dust accumulate in the filter, it can lead to a bad smell and in the worst-case – mold. Therefore, be sure to dust the filter at regular intervals.
Check the Condenser and Coils
Before starting your air conditioning for the season, make sure that the condenser and coils work properly. If they are blocked or incorrectly installed, condensation water will leak indoors. Remove any buildup before starting the AC or else it will inhibit the flow of air and transfer of heat, limiting the cooling unit’s performance and potentially causing other problems.
It is important that the inside of the AC is mounted horizontally and that the drainage hose has a certain slope so that the water can flow out to the outside of the house. If the hose does not tilt enough, the water will flow back indoors. If there is nothing that blocks the drainage, and the water still does not drain out properly, there may be a problem with the installation and then you need to contact an HVAC professional.
Check The Thermostat
You should also make sure that your thermostat is properly connected and functioning. You might want to consider getting a smart thermostat if you don’t have one because it will allow for temperature settings to be automated throughout the day.
Smart thermostats are excellent solutions since they prevent energy wastage. They have programs to stay off when nobody is at home and be turned on before anyone living in the house gets back home.
Check the Ductwork
If you’re using a forced-air heating system, you are probably sharing ductwork with your central air. Your ductwork is probably okay if you haven’t had any problems with the airflow from your furnace. However, it’s highly recommended to do a quick check and make sure there are no chinks or holes in the ductwork and that everything is intact.
If you’re unsure of how to clean the ductwork, it may be a good idea to hire a professional. Duct cleaning is a viable option when there’s a bad odor coming out of the vents, you can see debris coming out, your home has been recently renovated, there’s visible mold, and animals have nested inside.
Final Thoughts
If you want to have nice cool air guaranteed throughout the summer, you must prepare your AC unit ahead of time and ensure that everyone at home is comfortable.
Following the above-mentioned tips and inspecting your unit can make the biggest difference when it comes to the performance of your unit and you can end up saving money and avoiding unexpected breaks or problems from occurring.
