4 Things You Need to Do Before You Can Switch Your AC on This Summer
Summer will be here quicker than you might imagine, and with the summer heat comes the need for your home’s air conditioner. While you might hope that you can simply turn on your AC and hope for the best, the truth is that it’s often a good idea to do a little prep work before turning on your air conditioner. Below are a few steps you’ll want to take to ensure a cool transition into the summer.
Clean Out the Vents
The first step you should take is to make sure that all of your vents are clear and clean. It’s amazing how much dirt, dust, and miscellaneous debris can accumulate in odd places in your house over the winter, so make sure that you’ve got everything out of the way of all of your cooling vents. Doing so is going to help your AC function more efficiently which will help cool your home more easily.
Make Sure You Change the Filters
Next up are the filters. Generally, you should change out your filters about once every three months or so, though you should replace them more often if you have allergies or pets. Even if you’re in the middle of a cycle, it’s a good idea to change out your filters before you switch over to the new cooling season. It never hurts to make sure that you’re giving your air conditioner a chance to work as efficiently as possible.
Clean Around the Condenser
Finally, it’s time to check out the condenser. The most important thing you can do before you start it up is to make sure that it is free of debris, such as leaves or grass, or any animals that have tried to make their nests in or on the condenser over the long winter. It’s also a good idea to go outside and listen to your condenser when you first start up the air conditioner just to make sure that it is running normally.
Check Out the AC Unit
You’ll also want to check out the different parts of the AC installation outside. Make sure that all of the refrigerant lines are still covered and intact, and take a look to make sure that there are no signs of leaks or disconnections from your home. A quick visual inspection really can go a long way.
If your AC is older or has been struggling for the last few years, it’s a good idea to talk to an HVAC company. They can do an inspection and let you know whether a new AC system installation is recommended. It may be time for a new installation if it’s been more than 10 years since your unit was installed. Alternatively, you might notice that the costs to repair the unit have been adding up significantly over the last few years.
It doesn’t take too much work to get your AC up and running before the summer. A little cleaning, a few inspections, and a careful bit of investigation can go a long way. Once you’re done, you can get ready for a much cooler summer.