How Homeowners Can Prepare Their AC Before Peak Heat
If you live in or around Hutto, Texas, you’ll be familiar with how scorching hot the summer months can be. It’s not uncommon to experience several days or even weeks in the high 90s, which can make your air conditioning work overtime.
Is it up to the task?
With peak summer weather on its way, it’s crucial to ensure your AC unit is in excellent working order and has received adequate maintenance. You’ll then have full confidence that it will keep you cool and comfortable through the warmest Texas days! If you need a helping hand preparing your AC for its important job ahead, take note of these tips:
Change the Filters
While you can’t see them, filters are one of the most crucial components of an air conditioning unit. They capture dust, pollen, dander, and other airborne particles that would otherwise circulate in your air. They also prevent those same particles from reaching the internal components of your AC unit.
Therefore, their maintenance is crucial. Aim to check and replace your AC unit’s filters every one to three months. Failure to do so means the system has to work harder, putting its components under stress and increasing energy usage.
Clean the Outdoor Condenser Unit
Just as maintaining the indoor part of your AC unit is important, so is maintaining the outdoor unit. Spend time removing debris such as grass clippings, leaves, and twigs. If it’s positioned near shrubs and trees, ensure there’s a minimum clearance of two feet on all sides.
A clean outdoor condenser is important for improving air quality, enhancing efficiency, and extending its lifespan. After all, neglected AC units can wear out and break down prematurely.
Check the Condensate Drain
The condensate drain line on an air conditioning unit collects and removes the moisture pulled from your home. There are two main areas: an indoor collection point and an outdoor exit point.
As algae and mold can clog the drain line, causing water damage or system failure, routine checks are crucial. Find the cleanout opening and clear it with a wet/dry shop vacuum.
Inspect the Refrigerant Lines
Refrigerant lines are copper pipes connecting your indoor evaporator coil to your outdoor condenser unit. They form a closed loop, continually circulating refrigerant to absorb heat from your home and transfer it outside.
Knowing their importance, regular inspections are vital to ensure they are in excellent working order. Check the foam insulation surrounding these lines and ensure it isn’t torn or damaged by pests. Replace any degraded insulation.
Test Your AC Unit Early
Don’t wait until the hottest day of the year to turn on your AC unit. If it’s not functioning well, you must deal with the sweltering heat until a trusted AC service technician can visit.
Instead, test your air conditioning early. On a milder day, switch your unit on and run it for 15 to 30 minutes. Take note of any unusual sounds, such as electrical noise or clanking. Most importantly, ensure it’s blowing cold air. It’s much easier to book a technician for AC repairs and maintenance when the weather is still mild, rather than during a heatwave.
Set the Thermostat
After testing your AC unit, set the thermostat to the most energy-efficient level. For the ideal balance of comfort and efficiency, don’t set it more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit below the outside temperature.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
There are so many tasks that residential and commercial property owners can do themselves, but that doesn’t mean you have to! Leave your AC maintenance and repairs to experts who will handle everything so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the cool breeze!
Professional maintenance includes an annual tune-up, during which your technician will lubricate moving parts, check electrical connections, and measure refrigerant levels. They will also perform refrigerant checks, especially if you’ve noticed ice on the refrigerant lines or warm air blowing from your AC.
If you don’t want to have to remember to schedule maintenance every year, most trusted AC and heating businesses offer maintenance plans. These plans incorporate a range of vital services to keep your AC unit in excellent working condition, including:
- Thermostat calibration
- Coil cleaning
- Safety control testing
- Refrigerant checks
- Drain line cleaning
- Airflow testing
- Electrical inspection
- Blower inspection
- Filter replacement
- And more
Prepare Your AC for Summer with Help from Atomic AC & Heating in Hutto, Texas
Don’t leave the health of your AC unit up to chance. With warmer weather on the horizon, it’s time to act and ensure your air conditioning is in tip-top shape! Contact the expert team at Atomic AC & Heating in Hutto, Texas.
Whether you live in or around Austin, Hutto, Round Rock, or Pflugerville, our team is here to provide the maintenance and repairs you need for a smooth, stress-free, and comfortable summer ahead!
