Take These 5 Steps Before Turning on Your Air Conditioner for the Summer

Weather can be a fickle thing. It can blaze one day then freeze the next. This year, we even had snow in May! But now the warmer weather seems to be here to stay, so air conditioning went from the last thing you probably wanted to necessary. Your AC system needs to be in working order before you kick it on for the season. 

Let’s go over some simple DIY AC maintenance steps to go through before turning your AC unit on for the season. 

1. Setting the Thermostat

We’ll begin with the settings. Before you get into monkeying with any parts, stop by your thermostat. Turn it to the “off position” (neither cold nor hot in most cases). If possible, set the temperature as high as it will go (80 degrees for most systems). 

2. Replace Your Home’s Filters

We’re sure you’ve heard this before, but people forget this step too often. Make sure to replace your filters before the summer heat kicks in. Most filters need to be switched every month or two, even more if you have pets. Clean filters means better air quality and more efficiency in your cool air getting spread around your home. 

3. Clean Up Around Your Outdoor AC Unit

Clear away the area around your outdoor air conditioning unit. Brush away dirt, leaves, branches, twigs, toys, and any other debris that might be too close. We suggest you also clear any branches that are too close overhead or plants beside the unit. You won’t need to go wild and open up your unit - just make sure you clean the area on top of, next to, and around your AC unit. 

4. Inspect Your Unit Insulation

There should be coolant lines connecting your outdoor AC unit to your home. Check these lines for cracks or damage. If you notice anything off, get in touch with a heating and cooling expert such as Heaney Plumbing & Heating. Fixing broken insulation will end up saving you money. 

5. Clear Your Registers

Just as you did outside, make sure to clear a direct path to your registers. Both the intake and exit gates should have nothing in front of them so you can get the best airflow possible. 

Schedule an Air Conditioning Tune-Up with the Trusted Pros

Now your system should be good to go. Try out the cool air, and give Heaney Plumbing & Heating a call if there is a problem. Even if there isn’t an issue, it is good to have a professional come check out your system about once per year. Regular professional maintenance helps ensure your system runs efficiently and safely.