As a homeowner, you’re aware that you need to think at least one season ahead to make sure that all systems are functioning properly. So even though it’s winter outside, spring is not far behind, and it’s time to be thinking of a pre-season tune-up for your air conditioning system. Some of these are things that you can do for yourself, while others may need a service and maintenance visit from your local ac repair specialists.
Preparing your ac system for the season
Air conditioning and heating bills make up the biggest part of the energy costs for most homes. In some cases it may be as much as half of the total costs. Making sure that your ac system is running smoothly and efficiently can help to minimize the energy usage and costs. The time to start is in the spring, when you wake up the ac system from hibernation, and check for any problems.
A preseason inspection will help to ensure that you won’t be caught without air conditioning when the hot weather hits. You can do some of this on your own, and for other tasks like energy-efficiency optimization and repair risk reduction, you can call on your local ac company. In fact most ac repair specialists offer professional tune-up services to make sure that all components are in good shape and the system is running at optimal efficiency.
Inspecting your ac unit
Before calling the air conditioning company, you can do a quick check of the outdoor and indoor components of your system.
- Outdoors
For the outdoor unit, you just need to make sure that it is clean and remove any debris and dirt that might clog the panels and obstruct their working. You can also check the fins for any damage, as any bent or broken fins will prevent the unit from ejecting hot air. You can gently straighten bent fins yourself, and remove any dirt and debris.
While outside, check the suction line that runs from the unit to your home for any signs of damage, cuts or leaks that can affect the energy efficiency of the unit. - Indoors
The first step is a very easy one: replace the air filter. Air filters should be replaced regularly to keep your ac or HVAC unit running efficiently and to maintain indoor air quality. It’s always a good idea to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for the frequency of air filter changes.
You can also do a test run to check if the unit is running smoothly or if it seems sluggish
Once you’ve done this basic inspection and clean up, it’s also a good idea to call the local ac repair specialists to come in and do a tune-up for the entire system. This will help ensure that all components are functioning properly and the system is ready for the season. The ac repair specialists can also fix any minor common ac repair problems and make sure that all electrical systems are optimized.
A preseason inspection and tune-up will keep your home air conditioning unit running smoothly and efficiently as soon as it is needed. Most ac repair specialists offer routine tune-up and maintenance services as well as ac repair. These can help ensure that your ac system is ready for the season.