If you haven’t already turned on your air conditioner, chances are you will pretty soon. While spring has been slow to arrive in many parts of the country, May usually brings the first heat.
First, a moment of thanks. Central AC is self-contained and remarkably efficient. We usually don’t even think about it unless something goes wrong. So let’s count our blessings. (And if you haven’t already done so, call your HVAC contractor to schedule the annual AC maintenance.)
DIY: Save Contractor Time and Your Money
Professional help aside, there are things you can do yourself to keep your air conditioning system humming quietly all summer.
- While you’re doing your yard work, rake the dead leaves and debris away from the outdoor unit. Trim bushes around the unit. You can use the hose to lightly spray the coils.
- Make sure the drains aren’t plugged on your condensate (outdoor unit), and check to see that water isn’t pooling in the drain pan.
- Inside the house, you can clean the duct grills and vents with a wet cloth or vacuum cleaner. Make sure your vents are open for good airflow and to keep humidity levels under control.
- If you don’t have extra air filters, ask your HVAC contractor for some. They should be changed at the beginning of each season– spring, summer, fall, winter– and you don’t need a contractor’s license to do this.
Air Conditioner Maintenance Checklist
While you’re taking care of these things, it’s a good time to note if anything seems awry– such as broken coils or water build-up. You can make a list of questions to ask your AC guy.
Try to remember what it was like at the height of the heat wave last summer. Was your AC keeping the house cool? Was your furnace shutting off and on all night? Was the humidity too high? Were your bills too high?
If so, maybe this is a good time to check out a new high-efficiency AC unit. While they’re not cheap, the savings on your electric bill can give you a pretty quick payback. Or you might be able to get by with a smart thermostat or a dehumidifying heat pipe, as described at Energy.gov.
For many of us, spring is our favorite season. Not too hot, not too cold: Like Goldilocks, just right. But in most areas of the country, it’s short-lived. So enjoy! And get ready for the heat. ')}