Do These 3 Things Before Turning Your AC Back On

Warmer weather is right around the corner, and we want your AC to be in tip-top shape so you don’t face high energy bills or get stuck with an AC that’s blasting hot air this summer.

To make sure your AC is in good shape we’ll share 3 things you should definitely do before you turn it on:

1. Check your air filter

2. Clear debris from outdoor unit

3. Schedule your AC maintenance now

Let’s go into more detail about each of these tasks in more detail...

The first thing you should do to get ready for the cooling season is check your air filter.

Here’s why: Your air conditioner shares an air filter with your heating system (furnace or heat pump). So all winter long your heating system has been sucking up air pollutants like dust and pet dander, which clog the filter.

A clogged filter will make your AC run inefficiently, and can lead to problems like…

• High energy bills

• Less cool air entering your home

• A frozen evaporator coil

• Ice on refrigerant lines

Read our related article, “Forgot to Change Your AC’s Filter? 3 Reasons You May Regret It.”

Follow these easy steps:

1. Find your air filter. It will either be located:

   1. Between your air handler and air intake duct, which is usually located in a closet or attic

   2. Behind your return vent, which can be located in a hallway, ceiling or wall

1. If it’s clogged or dirty, carefully remove the old filter and replace it with a new one

Can’t find your air filter or don’t know how to replace a clogged filter? Just give us a call and leave it to us.

Since your outdoor unit is exposed to the elements, you’ll want to make sure it’s clean and free of debris before you start using it regularly.

Here’s why: A clogged outdoor unit (also called the condenser unit) dumps the heat from your home outside. But, if it’s blocked by foliage, debris or dust, your AC system will struggle to dump that heat outside.

A blocked outdoor unit will eventually lead to:

1. Increased monthly energy bills

2. Decreased comfort (all that heat will be forced to head right back into your home)

For more information on the dangers of a blocked condenser, read these related articles:

• “Why You Should NEVER Cover Your Air Conditioner”

• “You Should Clean Your Home’s Air Conditioner (Unless You Like Losing Money)”

• Cut back all foliage so it’s at least 3 feet from your outdoor unit

• Pick out sticks, leaves or other large pieces of debris from the condenser unit

• Use a hose (with a gentle spray setting) to remove dust from the condenser coils

Have a thick layer of dust on your outdoor unit? Call a professional to clean it for you. They’ll have the right tools to do the job efficiently.

The first 2 tasks are things you can most likely do on your own. But for this task, you’ll need a professional’s help.

Here’s why you absolutely need to schedule AC maintenance now: A professional can catch serious issues with your air conditioner before they become serious. Major AC problems will make your system use more energy, which will raise your monthly utility bills and could lead to a system breakdown. And the last thing anybody wants in the middle of a Florida summer is to be stuck without a working AC!

Plus, if you don’t get regular maintenance and something breaks down because of normal wear and tear, you risk voiding your AC warranty. Most manufacturers require proof of regular maintenance before they’ll replace a broken part.

Give us a call and we’ll help you schedule an appointment with one of our trusted AC techs.

In the meantime, read more about our AC maintenance plans. They can save you money down the road on repairs and maintenance call fees.

• On vs. Auto: One of These Thermostat Settings Costs You More Money

• How to Tell if Your Utility Bills Are Too High