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6 Steps to Take Before Turning Your AC on This Summer
When the summer hits, you need your AC system to work properly in order to really enjoy it. And the best way to make sure that happens is by taking good care of your HVAC system.
With that in mind, here are 6 steps to take before turning your AC on this summer.
1. Practice Safety First
Make sure to turn off the power before doing any work on your HVAC system. Otherwise, you could wind up hurting yourself while you perform the other tasks on this list.
2. Clean or Replace the Filters
Your system needs clean air filters to do its job efficiently. That’s why experts recommend that you clean or replace your filters at least twice per year.
The end of Spring and the beginning of summer is the perfect point to swap out your filter. Doing so will make sure that you have excellent airflow throughout the warm summer months.
3. Clean the Air Conditioner’s Condenser Coils
Your air conditioner’s condenser coils are responsible for heat transfer. But they can sometimes get dirty with accumulations of dust and debris. When this happens, the efficiency and cooling power of your unit tend to go down.
That’s why it’s also a good idea to clean your condenser coils before firing up your system for the first time. Doing so can be a bit challenging if you’re not familiar with the process. Northern Climate Control is here to help if you need it.
4. Clean and Clear Debris
Over the year, various bits of leaves, shrubs, and debris can get stuck in your condenser. If your unit has a drain, that may also get clogged up from this debris.
So another important step is making sure to get rid of all of this. That way, your system can pull in the outdoor air that it needs to function at its best.
5. Check the Coolant Lines
Your air conditioner uses refrigerant to transfer air from inside your home to outside of it and vice versa. This refrigerant gets passed through coolant lines that need foam insulation to work their best.
Sometimes, this insulation can get frayed or go missing throughout the course of the year. And when that happens, the refrigerant won’t work as well as it should, which will bring down the efficiency of your system.
If you see that you have any insulation missing, call out an HVAC professional and they’ll come to replace it for you.
6. Test the Unit
Once you’ve completed all of these tasks, you’re ready to fire up your air conditioner and test how it’s working. You can try setting it to various temperatures and seeing how it performs.
If you notice anything odd about the performance of your HVAC system or its efficiency, then it may be time to call a professional.
Need Help? Northern Climate Control Has You Covered
Putting your AC unit through some routine maintenance at the beginning of summer is a great way to make sure that it works efficiently throughout the hottest months of the year.
Northern Climate Control can take care of all of this for you. We provide comprehensive HVAC service and maintenance to residents of Littleton and the entire Denver Metro Area.