6 steps to getting your air conditioner ready this spring
6 Steps to Getting Your Air Conditioner Ready This Spring
March-April is that time of year when Mother Nature says it’s spring one day but winter again the next. The furthest thing from most people’s minds is their air conditioning system. But early spring is the ideal time to begin getting your AC system ready for the warmer weather ahead.
“Annual spring maintenance helps avoid problems later during the summer,” says Jason DeBaere, HVAC Division Manager at Adams. “Good preventive maintenance also helps ensure optimum performance of your entire air conditioning system, which will help you save money over time because your AC unit won’t have to work as hard.”
There are some basic maintenance tasks a homeowner can tackle on their own. But there are also some crucial procedures that must be handled by a professional with the right tools, training and expertise.
3 simple things a homeowner can do:
1. Replace dirty filter. “An air conditioning system needs to breathe, both inside and outside,” DeBaere points out. On the inside unit, that means replacing the filter as soon as it starts showing signs of significant dust buildup. Most filter manufacturers recommend changing your filter every one to three months. Some specialized filters are designed to last longer. Make a note of what your filter manufacturer recommends.
2. Take the protective cover off outside unit. If you’re a homeowner who likes to cover the air conditioning unit during the winter months, make sure you remove that cover before you flip the AC on for the first time. It might sound silly, but it can easily happen on that hot spring afternoon when a family member instinctively changes the thermostat setting to AC. A running air conditioner that is covered can undergo additional wear and tear, and the unit could even end up overheating.
3. Clean up vegetation. “Some homeowners like to plant grass or bushes to help hide the outside unit,” DeBaere says. “But if that vegetation becomes overgrown, it can end up suffocating the air conditioner. Some plants even have vines and end up attaching themselves to the unit.” Early spring is a great time to make sure all vegetation is cut back away from the unit.
3 crucial tasks a professional should handle:
1. Inspection. DeBaere says aAdams technicians likes to start indoors before performing thorough inspections outside. First First they check to ensure the system is operating correctly. technicians examine the condition of the filter to determine if it is dirty, clogged, or in need of replacement. They check for signs of dust, debris, or other contaminants that may be obstructing airflow. Checking system components, refrigerant levels, air flow and gathering important measurements are all key in this yearly service. It is also important to the team at Adams that strict protocol is followed to ensure manufacturer specifications and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards are met.
2. Inspect electrical. When inspecting the outdoor unit, DeBaere says a technician will provide a thorough electrical inspection while looking for any potential electrical issues. When the air conditioner is running, the technician will test the amp draw on both the condenser fan motor and compressor to make sure both are working properly. The technician will also check all connections, disconnects, the contactor, and capacitors to see if anything needs to be tightened, cleaned, or replaced.
3. Outdoor cleaning. After doing their electrical inspections, the technician will also take the time to clean the overall outdoor unit. They’ll clean out bugs, bee hives, leaves and other debris. For homeowners who opt to cover their air conditioning unit during the winter, DeBaere says it’s not uncommon to find mice nests that need to be removed. And when a mouse nest is found, the technician will do another inspection to look for any wiring that may have been chewed.
“We’ll often remove the covers and flush the unit from the inside out,” DeBaere adds. “We have specialized chemicals that are designed to thoroughly clean vital components like condenser coil. These are the types of extra steps that help ensure air conditioner reliability and longevity.”
When’s the best time to schedule AC maintenance?
Technicians like to get out on service calls once there are some consistent 65-degree days. “That might not be until later in May, depending on what the weather is doing,” DeBaere says. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t call a professional and get your service scheduled much earlier. April is the perfect time to start thinking about getting your AC system ready for summer.”
Contact Adams to get your spring AC maintenance scheduled today.