Summer is right around the corner in Greenville, South Carolina – June 21st, to be exact. Of all the things you need to do to prepare for the hot weather, professional AC repair and maintenance should be at the top of your list. You’ll need to schedule an AC inspection to ensure your air conditioner is in excellent shape before turning it on.
With proper maintenance and care, your air conditioner will run efficiently and provide cool air during the hot summer months when you need it most. Below, we look at ways to get your AC prepared for summer. If you have any further questions or need to schedule AC maintenance, contact Crandall Heating & Air.
1. Schedule AC Maintenance for Your Home
You turn your AC off in October and don’t turn it on again until May or June. So, it’s been sitting dormant in the harsh winter for more than six months. As a result, there may be problems you don’t know about. The problems can worsen if you turn your AC on before fixing the unit. You could be looking at expensive repairs.
Therefore, you should schedule air conditioner maintenance before turning the unit on. An AC technician can do a comprehensive inspection to spot any problems with your air conditioner. What can you expect from an AC check?
- AC safety check
- Cooling efficiency
- Coolant levels and pressure check
- Thermostat calibration
- Lubrication of moving parts
- Cleaning all major parts
- Clearing the condensate drain
- Electrical wiring and components inspection
If you recently joined an air conditioner maintenance plan, you may be on the schedule for a pre-summer inspection and full maintenance. Ask your local HVAC company in Greenville, South Carolina, about what your plan involves.
2. Change Out the Air Conditioner Filter
Although you should leave AC maintenance to the professionals, there are a few handy DIY projects you can take on. The best thing you can do for your air conditioner is to replace the AC air filter. A new filter can purify the air and keep dirt and particles from clogging up your HVAC system and ductwork.
Are you a new homeowner? Changing the filter is easy. Simply follow the owner’s manual to change out the filter for your HVAC system. The manufacturer will also provide information online if no physical manual is available. You can also consult an AC company in Greenville, South Carolina.
If you have the owner’s manual, look for the following information:
- Filter replacement schedule
- Preferred filter type (flat panel, pleated, reusable, HEPA)
- Filter dimensions (height x width x length)
3. Get an Air Purification System
If your windows and doors have been closed tightly all winter long or you use a fireplace, there may be a lot of inside dust that has collected. The summer months bring a lot of pollen and outside particles that circulate through your house. The air is unhealthy to breathe and can contaminate your HVAC system.
The solution is an air purification system. A purification system can trap up to 99.9% of particles, pathogens, and contaminants, making it easier to breathe the air in your house. When you combine the air purification system with the air conditioner filter, you can prevent particles from harming your air conditioner.
A purification system may be the best investment you make this summer. When your system is cleaner, it runs efficiently, saving you money in cooling costs.
4. Do Some HVAC Spring Cleaning
Are you right in the middle of your annual spring cleaning? If so, add your air conditioner, ductwork, and inside the HVAC system to your checklist. If you have an AC maintenance plan, the technician may clean key components in the system for you. However, you can clean some of the parts yourself.
One job you need to do regularly is cleaning the air conditioner vents. Go through each room in the house and locate the event. Take the vent out of the ceiling (or wall/floor) and clean it. Next, clean the vent area. Finally, return the vent. Cleaning your vents can reduce the amount of dirt circulating back through the house.
Add de-cluttering to your checklist as well. If your HVAC system is in a closed or enclosed space, it’s tempting to store other items in the space. However, doing so prevents proper airflow. It can also be a fire hazard. Last, go outside and clear the area around the AC unit. Clear out the leaves, trim around the base, and remove debris.
5. Check Your House for Poor Insulation
If you want to lower your cooling costs during summertime, one of the best things you can do is perform a quick energy audit or insulation inspection. Check the following items in your house (or get a professional to do it):
- Roofing system
- Attic and wall insulation
- Doors and windows
- Basement
Check for areas where insulation is weak, or drafts occur. If possible, try to correct these problems before summer arrives. Creating a tight insulation envelope around your house keeps the cool air in and the hot air out. Your air conditioner will run efficiently and save you money on your energy costs.
Schedule Air Conditioner Maintenance in Greenville, South Carolina
Gear up for summer with air conditioner maintenance for your home. Crandall Heating & Air offers complete AC installation, repair, and replacement services in Greenville, South Carolina. To schedule service, fill out our contact form online or give us a call.
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