Warm weather means you’ll need air conditioning you can count on. Before the temperature increases, have your home cooling equipment checked for repairs and replacement parts. Although you can change filters by yourself, a professional can catch any serious issues before they impact your home this summer.
In addition to making life more comfortable, regular maintenance keeps your air conditioning efficient and saves long-term costs. It can help your units last longer and ensure you don’t experience hot summer days without the cooling influence of a working air conditioner. Learn more about prepping your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system for the spring and summer months!
How to Get Your Air Conditioner Ready for Summer
These HVAC tips for summer will help with AC preparation so you’re ready to enjoy the sun and warmth without being too hot inside your home. Following these simple steps can save you time, money and sweat — literally — this summer!
1. Replace the Filters
Whether you use individual AC units or have a central air system, you should replace filters on a regular schedule. When filters are clean, air conditioning works much more efficiently. There’s a filter in all air conditioning systems to protect your cooling equipment from dust and debris.
This filter helps your equipment run smoothly and brings cleaner air into your home. You can usually find it in the return air duct or behind the front panel in window units. Depending on the filter’s material, you may need to vacuum and wash it with mild detergent. Wait for it to dry out completely before replacing it. If your air conditioning filter is disposable, replace it with a new one.
Filters need to be cleaned and replaced at different rates, depending on the material and how often you use your air conditioning. Always check the recommended guidelines for your air conditioning system and follow their instructions for replacing filters. This easy step can help your AC work efficiently throughout the summer.
2. Check the Thermostat
Sometimes, your cooling equipment might not turn on because the thermostat isn’t functioning. If it’s hot inside and your air conditioning hasn’t turned on, check the batteries in your thermostat. You can also purchase a thermometer and compare it to the temperature on your thermostat.
Once you’re certain your thermostat is working, you can optimize it to balance comfort and efficiency. Set the thermostat as high as you can without sacrificing your comfort by keeping the house too hot. You can use a smart thermostat to change the settings for daytime versus nighttime cooling. You can also use smart thermostats to change the house temperature when you’re away.
3. Clean the Outside Unit
Part of your air conditioning system is located outside. To keep it running well, you should carefully clean it at least once a year. You can use a vacuum cleaner, soft bristle brush, hose and condenser coil cleaner to gently clean the outside of the unit. Turn off the AC inside before you clean the outside unit, and don’t spray any of its electrical parts with water.
If any plants are growing up or around the AC unit, clean them off. You can also carefully unscrew the top of the outdoor unit. Once you’ve lifted it off, you can clean out any dust or dirt that’s fallen inside. Afterwards, be careful to put everything back exactly how it was before.
4. Inspect the Ductwork
If your ductwork is leaking, your home may cool unevenly. You can prevent that by having your ductwork inspected by a professional. There are a few ways to check ductwork for leaks, including visual checks, blowing air through the vents and using an inspection camera to see inside the ductwork.
In addition to causing uneven cooling, leaky ducts can mean higher energy bills, a noisy HVAC system and more dust throughout your home. Having your ducts checked and cleaned periodically is a good way to keep your AC running smoothly and at its most efficient this summer.
5. Adjust the Vents
You may notice that some spots in your home are really cold and others are too warm during the summer. If your air conditioning unit and thermostat are working properly, you may need to adjust your vents for optimal cooling inside your home. Start by noting the cold spots in your home.
Once you know where they are, you can close the vents partially or completely in those rooms. That will reduce the amount of cool air that’s coming from your AC system into the room. Leave the vents in warmer parts of your home wide open. Over time, you can continue adjusting vents until you find the right temperature balance for your space.
6. Assess System Performance
Before the summer season, you should assess your AC system to make sure it’s performing at its best. Here are a few signs that your air conditioning may need help before tackling another hot summer:
- Rising energy costs
- Loud noises
- Inconsistent temperatures
- Poor air quality
- Frequent repairs
If your AC unit is 10 to 15 years old, it will likely start giving you problems and need to be replaced. If your cooling equipment is newer, it may need repairs or general maintenance to function at its best. Since you don’t run your AC during the winter, think about how it behaved last year. You can also run it for a few months into the summer before calling for repairs.
7. Schedule Professional Maintenance
Like other equipment, your air conditioning system will function much better with regular maintenance. Having an experienced professional examine your AC can improve your system’s efficiency, saving costs and ensuring it lasts longer.
Off seasons like spring and fall are the best times of year to have your HVAC equipment looked over. During these seasons, you don’t need extreme heating or cooling yet, and there are fewer emergencies taking up technicians’ time. However, today is always the best time to call for help if your AC breaks down.
Prepare Your HVAC System for Summer With Thielmann Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing
At Thielmann Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing, we’ve served residents and commercial businesses in southern Wisconsin since 1929. Our 90 years of experience with HVAC installation, repair and maintenance can make it easy for you to confidently welcome warm summer weather.
Schedule a maintenance check with us before the weather warms up, or reach out for our same-day cooling repair services if something goes wrong with your air conditioning. We’ll ensure your HVAC is ready to handle the heat, so you can enjoy this season without stress. Contact us today at (262) 299-6167 to schedule an appointment!
