How to Prepare Your AC Unit for Summer

While you’re planning your spring-cleaning duties, don’t forget to add your air conditioning unit to the list. Performing annual preventative maintenance allows your AC unit to run better and last longer, and helps you avoid expensive and inconvenient repairs just when you need your AC most.

To prepare your AC unit for summer, we recommend the following five simple steps.

 

Change your air filter. It’s best to do a quick filter check every three to six months, depending on how often you use your system. A dirty air filter restricts air flow, which reduces efficiency, makes your unit more costly to run, recirculates dust within your home, and over time puts stress on the system that could cause a more serious problem.

For best results, check your manufacturer’s recommendations on how often to change the filter. We suggest having a few filters on hand, so you’re always prepared.

Clean your AC unit. Remove mud, leaves, and other yard debris from the top and sides of your unit so nothing interferes with the flow of air. While you’re at it, clean the coils and fins as well. To do this, first disconnect the power, and lightly spray down the coils with a hose to remove any remaining dust and dirt. Then use a toothbrush to gently clean the fins to scrub away remaining build up. To prevent much of this debris accumulation in the first place, wrap your unit with a tarp or an AC cover during the winter months.

Check the condensation lines. Locate the pipe that drains condensation away from your unit and clean out any debris clogging the line. Keeping condensation flowing properly prevents water from backing up into your unit or even into your house, which can cause a mess as well as operational problems.  

Inspect the ductwork. Find the ductwork in your home, usually located in the basement, attic, or crawlspaces, and check that there are no holes or rips in the metal and that all the seals are intact. Also, reseal the seams with duct tape as needed so no air escapes. And if you’ve noticed a bad odor, pet hair, excessive dust, or other debris coming out of your vents, you may want to have your ductwork professionally cleaned.

Schedule an annual tune-up. To protect your AC investment, we recommend an annual tune-up by one of our professional technicians. This keeps your unit running smoothly while providing you with valuable peace of mind. This tune-up includes checking and cleaning the connections, coils, blower components, lines, refrigerant, drain, fuses, and the thermostat, as well as lubricating all working parts.           

With your annual AC maintenance taken care of, you can relax knowing your home will remain cool and comfortable as temperatures begin to rise. If you have questions about maintenance, or any other AC topics, please contact us at 253-336-3777. We’re here to help.

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Contact the experts at Ranger Heating.

Call us at 253-336-3777!