As the winter is coming to an end, many people will begin turning on their air conditioner to keep their home cool and comfortable. Before you turn your air conditioner on for the first time there are some things you should know and do before you run the air conditioner. Since your air conditioner hasn’t been used all fall and winter long, you will want to make sure there isn’t any issue that can make it worse if you run your air conditioner. Steve’s Heating & Air will share what steps you should take before you turn your air conditioner on.
Clean Outside AC Condenser Unit
For those with a split air conditioning system, you will have two units. One inside and outside of the home. The unit outside is the condenser, the condenser has been sitting outside and has been exposed to all of the elements. During the fall and winter seasons, debris and vegetation may have enveloped the condenser. You will want to clean up and around your condenser. You will want to remove vegetation and debris that may have grown around the condenser. Then you will want to check inside the condenser and make sure nothing got lodged inside. If you find that you do need to clean debris from inside the condenser, make sure the power has been turned off to the unit. For those who use a cover to help protect the condenser, remember to remove the cover before turning on the air conditioning.
Inspect Copper Refrigerant Lines
There are two copper lines that connect to the condenser, inspect these copper tubes for corrosion, cracks and other damages. These copper tubes are the refrigerant lines to the condenser. If they are damaged you will lose all of your refrigerant. You will want to start the cooling season will a fresh recharge and do leak repairs. If the copper tubes look okay, when you do run your air conditioner for the first time, make sure to check the copper tubes again. However, this time touch the tubes. They should feel very cold to the touch.
Check to See if AC Evaporator Coils Need Cleaning
Over the past season your evaporator coils may have become dirty. Sitting over the fall and winter season may have also contributed to dirt and grime accumulating over the coils. You will want to inspect the coils and make sure they are clean. Dirty coils can lead to a number of problems, including failure to cool the home.
Schedule an Air Conditioner Tune-Up
It is often recommended before or early in the cooling season, you will want to have your air conditioner inspected and tuned-up by a professional heating and cooling service. When tuning up the air conditioner the entire cooling system is inspected, cleaned, lubricated and primed for the upcoming summer season. Tuning up the air conditioner will help detect problems and have them corrected, and make sure your air conditioner is running efficiently. You can save yourself middle summer grief and money with yearly tune-ups. To make sure your air conditioner is prepared, you may want it tuned up before you turn it on.
Central Air Conditioning Preventive Maintenance Tune Up, Emergency Repair, Replacement & More in Sumrall, Purvis, Oak Grove, Dixie, Richton, Barrontown, Columbia, Baxterville, Lumberton, Petal & Hattiesburg MS & Pine Belt, Mississippi
There is a lot you can do for your home’s cooling system before you begin running the air conditioner. For air conditioner tune-ups and other HVAC services, contact Steve’s Heating & Air today.
