Must-Perform Spring Air Conditioner Maintenance
It has been a long and cold winter, but we are just about to cross the finish line and finally welcome back the warmer temperatures and lovelier weather of spring and summer. The change in season means we get to retire our furnaces for the next couple of months to enjoy a well-deserved break and prepare to tag our air conditioners back into the ring.
But, with the last few months spent on a siesta of its own, your air conditioner may not be 100% ready to take on the full load of demands from the upcoming Indiana spring and summer seasons. Even though it has been unused for several months, you may be surprised to learn that it is during this inactivity that many issues are likely to occur.
That is why it is important to perform air conditioner maintenance at the tail end of winter and beginning of spring and resolve any issues before we get too far into season and find yourself in a preventable predicament in the hottest time of the year. To make sure your air conditioning system has fully come out of hibernation here are five air conditioner maintenance tasks you can do make sure it is ready for the spring and summer ahead.
Change the filter
The absolute simplest form of seasonal air conditioner maintenance is also one of the most impactful: changing out your air filter. Dirt, dander, and hair in your home’s air will eventually pass through and collect in your system’s air filter. This helps keep your home’s air quality clean, but over time the build up and inhibit the flow of clean air and cause your system to overwork itself.
Replacing your air filter about every three months is a great way to keep your home’s air clean as possible and keep it from getting clogged up and affecting its performance. That breaks down to about once per quarter of the year, so the beginning of spring lines up as the perfect time to do so. In addition to being an important regular task, in comparison to other air conditioning maintenance, it is one of the easiest and cheapest to do.
Take it for a test run
Imagine you had a car sitting in storage for a long period of time and then suddenly decided to take it on a road trip. You wouldn’t just pack your bags, hop in, and hit the road before taking it around the block a couple of times to shake off the rust and catch any issues. The same should go for your air conditioner.
The last thing you want is to get to the first exceptionally hot day of the year, go to turn on your air conditioner for the first time, and only then learn that there is a problem. Before we hit the peak of spring and summer, take your air conditioner for a test run to look for any unusual noises, smells, or any other irregularities. By identifying potential problems now, you afford yourself the opportunity to get them resolved before you are in desperate need of relief from the heat and unable to get it.
Clear outdoor debris
Throughout the fall and winter, a fair amount of sticks, leaves, and other debris may have fallen from the trees on your property, collecting in your gutters and around your house. Throughout this time, your air conditioner’s condenser unit, the outdoor portion of your air conditioner, is likely to collect a good amount of that debris over top of it.
Your condenser plays an important role in the air conditioning process by cooling down incoming outdoor air and warm air out back out. If the fan is covered by sticks, dirt, leaves, and debris it can inhibit this process and cause your system to overwork itself and make your air conditioner less effective at cooling your home. Now that all the snow is gone, take the time to make sure your condenser is clean and clear.
Schedule a spring clean and check
Whether you detected something irregular while you were testing your system out or you don’t know what you need to be looking for, the absolute best way to get your air conditioner ready for the season ahead is by scheduling a spring clean and check with a professional heating and cooling company.
While you may be able to change the filter and clean off debris on the outside, a thorough and safe cleaning of the inside of your HVAC where dirt, dust, or even mold buildup during its extended inactivity is outside of the average homeowner’s ability. Without regular cleaning and air conditioner maintenance, this hard-to-reach debris can accelerate wear and tear, causing damage over time.
Regular seasonal maintenance from a professional also gives you the chance to have refrigerant checked, internal components inspected, and any potential issues identified and repaired before they get worse. Consider your spring clean and check like your regular oil change for your car, a necessary preventative maintenance that will keep your air conditioner running efficiently and smoothly for as long as possible.
Ready to schedule your spring air conditioner maintenance, cleaning, and check? Let Hoosier Indoor Air perform the seasonal maintenance your system needs to keep you cool all summer long. Call 317-466-7437 or schedule your appointment online today.
And don’t forget, with our Comfort Guard service agreement you can jump to the front of the line with our priority customer service benefits!
