How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Warmer Weather

How do you prepare for warmer weather?  Perhaps you do a major deep cleaning of your home.  Or, you switch out the clothing in your closet.  As the days lengthen and the weather warms up quite a few of us even find ourselves grilling food for dinner instead of using the oven or slow cooker indoors.  And, of course, as many of us think of heading to the beach or pool, we start to more seriously consider starting a diet.  Amidst all of these preparations and changes you should not forget to prepare your air conditioner as well.

Your a/c isn’t worried about getting bathing suit ready, but that doesn’t mean it that doesn’t need a little TLC before making its grand appearance for the season.

How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for Warmer Weather

1. Schedule an air conditioner inspection

Your air conditioner should have a yearly maintenance inspection performed by a qualified technician.  The technician will ensure that the unit is running as safely and efficiently as possible.  This should be your first step to prepare your air conditioner for summer before schedules of heating and cooling companies get backed up.

2. Change or clean the filter

Your furnace and air conditioner share a filter, so it is important to have a fresh filter before your turn on the air conditioner for the first time.  Dirty filters can reduce the efficiency of the air conditioner and can eventually lead to more serious problems.

3. Hose off the outside condenser unit

Take your hose to the condenser unit of the air conditioner with a fine mist spray.  This should get rid of any leaves or other debris that may have accumulated during the fall and winter months.

4. Turn the damper on the furnace to “summer”

5. Change the setting on your humidistat to “0%”

Often the humidistat is located on the furnace, but some thermostats include it on the thermostat panel.

6. Switch the disconnect for the a/c to ON

Do this 24 hours before actually turning the a/c on.

Please note, though an annual maintenance inspection is an important part of preparing to use your air conditioner this summer, you CAN turn the air conditioner on prior to your scheduled inspection.

If you find that you have any issues as you make the switch from heating to cooling, please do not hesitate to contact us at FLAME Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electrical!