Summer is almost here and that means it’s time to make sure you’re A/C unit is running efficiently. A well-maintained cooling system can give you the peace of mind that your equipment is reliable and efficient. Avoid that unexpected breakdown by following our warm weather cooling and heating (HVAC) checklist and make sure your family stays cool all summer long.
Check the Fan
When you turn on your cooling system for the first time, you want to make sure you hear the fan click on. If there’s no sound or there’s a long delay, that means you’ve got a problem on your hands and you’ll want to call the professionals to come out and check on it.
Replace the Air Filter
One of the best things you can do to ensure your HVAC system is running efficiently is to change or clean your air filter. This should ideally be done every three months depending on the type of air filter you have. Try setting a phone or calendar reminder to help you remember to do this important HVAC maintenance step!
Check Your Insulation on the Coolant Line
There is a coolant pipe that connects the evaporator on the air handler to the condenser outside. There is foam insulation that covers the line. You’ll want to check to see if this insulation is torn or broken in any places. If that’s the case, you should replace it. If you don’t have experience doing this yourself, you can call an HVAC professional who will easily take care of it for you!
Turn Off Your Furnace Humidifier
If you have a humidifier on your furnace, it’s the time of year to switch that off. Your air conditioner works to keep you cool by removing the humidity from your house, so any extra humidity will force it to work harder. If your humidifier doesn’t have an off switch, there should be a way to turn it into a “cool” position to route the cooled air, so it doesn’t pass through the humidifier before reaching your vents.
Clean Your Outdoor Unit
It can be easy to forget that an important part of your A/C system lives outdoors. Especially when the warmer weather hits and you’re relying on your A/C more, it’s important to check your outdoor unit. Make sure there are no visible twigs, leaves, or other debris on or in the fans. You’ll also want to take the time to move any personal items like toys or things you’re storing away from the outdoor unit to maintain proper airflow. Keeping the unit clear of debris and obstructions will reduce the likelihood of overheating and help keep your energy bills down.
Schedule a Tune-Up
The most important thing on your warm-weather HVAC checklist should be scheduling a tune-up for your cooling and heating system. There are some HVAC maintenance items that only a professional can do including lubricating moving parts of the interior of your condenser unit, tightening electrical connections, and checking refrigerant levels. These are all essential parts of your HVAC maintenance to ensure your A/C keeps you cool all summer long.
With the extreme heat during an Indianapolis summer, your cooling system needs to perform efficiently and effectively. And it must be reliable. To ensure you get all of that and more from your central air conditioning or heat pump, Service Plus Heating, Cooling & Plumbing offers superior tune-up and inspection services. Schedule a tune-up today!