Things To Know Before Turning Your AC Back on for Summer

Summer Prep For Optimal Air Conditioner Performance

One of the pleasures of summer is returning from fun in the sun to relax in the cool and comfort of your home. On the other hand, an all-too-frequent summer nightmare is coming home from a sweltering day to find that your air conditioning is not working. If you don’t want to find yourself frantically calling an HVAC contractor Santa Rosa at the height of summer, a few preventative actions can help head off a cooling emergency.



Precautionary Tips from an HVAC Contractor in Santa Rosa

To start, you should remember a few common-sense tips. These nuggets of wisdom seem obvious but are often overlooked; reminding yourself of them is never a waste of time.

The first thing to consider about prepping your system for summer is when to do it. The answer is as early as possible. If you find any problems, you’ll want the chance to get the unit serviced before HVAC pros hit their busiest season.

Secondly, don't do any maintenance to your unit without first turning off the power. Both your main panel and the AC unit itself will have circuit breakers or something similar to shut off the power to the unit, and you should use both to be sure all power to the system is cut.

Finally, rely on experts when you’re in doubt. If you are not confident you know what to do, call in a pro rather than risking either your safety or the integrity of your HVAC system.

Outdoor Unit Maintenance

Ensuring a smooth summer startup for your AC begins outside. As a homeowner, you can do some basic “housekeeping” as well as some inspection to check whether your AC needs pre-summer service.

Start by cleaning debris and weeds from around the unit system to minimize obstructions. Anything that reduces the efficient flow of air has to go.

Next open the unit’s cover and do a little internal cleaning as well. This includes wiping off the fan’s blades and cleaning the condenser. You can spray off dust and debris with your hose and gently brush the condenser's metal fins. When spraying your coils with a hose, take care to keep water away from electrical components. Professional cleaning by a technician during seasonal pm is a better choice.

Finally, check for drain leaks. Any sign of water leaks, damage to the PVC line or corrosion on the drain outlet is reason to call in a professional. If you have trouble identifying or tracing the pipes, rely on a professional inspection and preventive maintenance visit instead of going it alone.

Indoor System Summer Prep

Moving indoors, you have only a few simple tasks to complete before re-starting your air conditioning. You may even find the inside maintenance simpler and quicker than the external tasks.

Just as your external condenser coils had to be cleaned, the inside unit also contains essential coils: the evaporator's coils. The evaporator coils can be gently cleaned with a brush and water as you did with the condenser outside. You can find coil cleaners for this job, but you may not find them necessary.

The next two tasks address your air quality. First, change your unit’s air filter for maximum efficiency and reduced allergens. Next, vacuum your air vents to deal with trapped dust.

Setting your thermostat from heating to cooling and selecting a comfortable room temperature is the last step. Remember, your thermostat controls whether your unit “knows” when to start and stop cooling. If you think it may be too old to keep doing the job well, replace it before that summer heat kicks in.

Your AC’s First Summer Test

The final step in preparing for summer is the all-important first run. When you do turn the unit back on, the copper pipe from the unit that goes into the house should begin to feel cold in a short time. On the outside, the air being blown out from the condenser part of the unit should be noticeably warm, indicating that the system is successfully moving warm air out of the house.

Finally, be on the lookout for unusual noises, vibrations, or even odd smells. If that first test run throws up red flags that something may be amiss, don’t wait to call for a professional AC service. After all, time is of the essence when you’re facing the threat of suffering through hot weather without your AC!

Set Up for Summer Comfort with an HVAC Contractor in Santa Rosa

The demands placed on your air conditioner during the hottest months mean your equipment will need some preparatory TLC. Getting your system up to speed is even easier when you have backup from a qualified HVAC contractor in Santa Rosa. If you need help ensuring your system is summer-ready, contact the pros at Next Level today.