Preparing Your AC for the First Run of 2021
We are getting closer and closer to the warmer months of the year and it looks as though the warmer temperature may get here before it is officially spring. With that in mind it is a great idea to make sure that your AC is prepared for its first run of the year. The last thing you will want to experience is turning your AC on, on the first hot day of the year only to find that it is not working and requires ac repairs. Before the warm weather is here you will want to at least run your air conditioner and make sure it starts up. However, keep in mind the ac unit has been sitting idle for months and it will require more than a simple start up. In this article we will discuss a couple of things that you can do at home before summer for air conditioner preparation.
Filters
For many, the filters in the HVAC system have not been replaced since last summer (and for others even longer than that). The first and most important step to making sure you are getting strong and clean airflow to your home is changing your air filters. A dirty or clogged air filter that goes without changing will greatly impede airflow and can even lead to other costly repairs. You can find your air filter size on the side of the filter and most sizes are easy to find at your local Walmart or Home Depot. If you have never done this yourself, our technicians would be more than happy to show you. Its a simple step you should make at the very least once every 3 months, more often depending on usage.
Condenser Cleaning
Throughout the fall and winter, foliage and strong winds can really clog up your condenser. So, it is especially important to make sure it is cleaned before you run it as anything that is obstructing the condenser coils can greatly affect the efficiency of the system. Most air conditioning condensers are located on the rooftop or on the side of the house. If you have easy access to your condenser you can clean it by removing all surrounding foliage and debris and spraying it down with a water hose from inside out. Make sure to verify that the power to the unit is off before doing this and you must be very careful as to not to bend the fins on the condenser fan/coil. If you are not comfortable with this step please contact a professional to schedule AC maintenance.
Thermostat
The thermostat is responsible for telling your system Some issues that occur with air conditioning units are simply from low battery on the thermostat. So, one simple step to make sure that your air conditioning is working is to replace the batteries.
Maintenance
The absolute best way to make sure your air conditioning is prepared is to have an HVAC professional come and do a thorough maintenance. Professionals can do a more thorough cleaning of the condenser. They can check the amperage on the small components of the air conditioner to see how long they will last this year and if they will need to be replaced. They will measure the refrigerant levels to make sure they are at the proper levels. Most importantly they will catch any potential issues before they occur, so you are not stranded during the summer season or with an emergency ac replacement.
Air conditioner preparation for the summer season should not be a daunting task, we are here to help you. If you want your air conditioner to be prepared for the first run of the year and would like to schedule a maintenance appointment give LA Construction, Heating and Air a call today at 818-341-3406 or contact us online.
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