5 Steps to Prepare Your AC System for the Summer

As the snow has melted and the temperatures begin to climb, your AC unit, which stood dormant for a long few months, will now start having to pump cool air the minute you require it. But, just like when you start up a vehicle that's been sitting for so long, flipping the air conditioner's switch after it's been sitting can leave you feeling anxious. You'll want to prepare your air conditioner for the upcoming summer months to ensure you receive cool air all summer long without any unexpected breakdowns.  Here are five steps you can take to prepare your air conditioner for the summer.

  1. Change the Filters
    Chances are you have a couple filters around your home that require regular changing. Changing the filters enables your AC unit to take a deep, refreshing breath in before it has to start blowing out its own air. Dirty or clogged filters can restrict airflow.
  1. Clean the Condensation Lines
    The piping responsible for carrying condensation away from your AC unit can become clogged. If it does, it can back up into your AC unit, or into your home. This will leave a very messy issue as well as a large repair bill. To tackle this, find where the pipe drains out and ensure it's properly draining.
  1. Check Ductwork
    Along with cleaning or replacing your filters, you need to think about the ductwork as well. If you're using a forced air heating unit, chances are, it shares the same ductwork with your central air conditioning unit. If you haven't had any issues with your furnace's airflow, the ductwork is likely fine. But, it's not a bad idea to check it anyway to ensure there aren't any chinks or holes in the ductwork and that each seal is intact.

Sometimes, it might be a good idea to have a professional come to your home and clean out your ductwork. But, be wary, there are certain HVAC companies that could try and sell duct cleaning when you don't really require it. A reliable HVAC company wouldn't do this. You really only need to have your ductwork clean in certain situations such as:

  • You can see pet hair or debris coming out
  • There's a bad odor coming from the ductwork
  • There's noticeable mold
  • Your home has been renovated recently
  • Animals have nested inside of the ductwork

Otherwise, it probably won't make much sense to have your ductwork cleaned.

  1. Clean the Coils on your Outdoor Unit
    In the wintertime, your outdoor AC unit has been sitting there collecting mud, dust and other debris, particularly if you don't put a cover over it. All this gunk can clog up the unit and cause your air conditioner to run sluggish. If your unit is lightly soiled, you can disconnect the power and spray the unit down on the outside using a garden hose. If your unit is heavily soiled, purchase an AC unit cleaner from a hardware store.
  1. Test the Air Conditioner
    If you've just cleaned your AC unit, be sure you allow it to thoroughly dry before you switch the power back on. Once it's thoroughly dry, you can test your unit by turning your home's thermostat OFF. Turning the power at both the main panel and the disconnect box ON and switching your thermostat to COOL.

If your air conditioner isn't properly running, you should definitely call in a reliable, professional HVAC technician to come out and take a look. To give your air conditioner (and your energy bill) a break during the summer, you can also use a whole house fan which will help to cool down your home effectively and reduce your AC costs.