The Steps to Getting Your Air Conditioner Ready for the Summer
Keeping your house cool throughout the summer requires that you have an air conditioner that runs well. Homes in this area can get very hot as the scorching summer months begin to take over, so you should prepare now to have an air conditioning system that will run well throughout the entire year. While there are some jobs that you should leave to the professionals, there are some simple maintenance techniques that you can use to improve the odds that your air conditioning unit is running smoothly by the time the real heatwave hits.
Shut Off the Electricity
Your first step to maintaining your air conditioner is making sure that you’re safe. The biggest danger when you’re inspecting and doing any work on your air conditioner is the danger of being electrocuted. You can protect yourself by shutting off the power switch to the air conditioner in the electrical panel. You should also switch off the disconnect box, which is located near the condenser coils.
Clean the Filters
The next step is to ensure that your filter is clean. Some units might have filters that you can clean by soaking in some hot water. But other units will require that you replace the filter. When you’re trying to determine whether or not it’s time to replace your filter, one of the first things that you should look into is whether or not the owner’s manual suggests this. If you don’t have the physical copy of the manual, you can also often look online to find the manufacturer’s recommendations for your model. Otherwise, you can also talk to an experienced air conditioner technician, who will often be able to find the information on your model for you.
Prepare the Condenser Coils and Fan
The condenser coils and fan are on the unit that’s located outside the house. When you look at this unit from the top, there should be a grating, but you should be able to see the fan blades. The condenser coils are farther down inside the unit. If you had a cover on the outside unit, it probably won’t need a lot of cleaning because the cover will have kept out the dirt, twigs, and other types of debris. But if you didn’t have a cover on it, you’ll need to manually clear away the twigs first.
Then, you should get rid of any dirt or dust on the unit. If you can lift the grate off, this will give your better access to the inside of the unit. You can use a vacuum to clean off some of the dirt and leaves, but using a hose to spray the unit off is another option. You don’t have to worry about damaging the unit with water because you have the power turned off and because it was designed to withstand some water, such as rain. The only thing that you can’t do is submerge the unit, which will cause damage. Throughout this process, you should be careful that you don’t damage the delicate metal fins near the condenser coils.
Look at the Coolant Lines
When you’re trying to determine whether or not the coolant lines are in working order, one of the most important things to check is the insulation on the outside of the coolant line. If there are any parts that are frayed or otherwise damaged, you should replace them with either a new insulation tube or insulation tape. But if there’s damage to the line itself, you should talk to a professional air conditioning technician, who will be able to do any repairs necessary.
Test It
Once you’ve done all of the cleanings, you should check to make sure that everything works properly. First off, though, if you used a hose or any other water source to clean off the outside unit, make sure that it’s dry. Then, you can check to make sure that the air conditioner is working properly by turning the thermostat inside the house to the off position. Then, you should turn the switch in the electrical box back to the on position. Turn the switch in the disconnect box next to the condenser coils. Finally, turn the thermostat to the cool setting and check the registers to ensure that cool air is coming out.
When you’re looking for an air conditioning technician, call Underwood AC LLC. We’re here to help you through the process of taking care of several systems in your Davenport home, including furnace services and heated pool services.
