How To Prepare Your AC for Summer

Summer is here, and indoor temperatures will increase significantly. Your AC will play a crucial role in creating the right environment in your home. Learn how to prepare your AC for summer.

Get a New Air Filter

A new air filter ensures clean air circulates effectively in your home. The filter traps dust, pollen, and other allergens that can compromise indoor air quality. Changing the filter improves your AC's performance and energy efficiency, reducing strain on the system. This allows your AC to cool your space more efficiently. 

With a new air filter, you prevent the buildup of dirt and debris on vital AC components, reducing the risk of breakdowns and costly repairs. Furthermore, a clean filter helps maintain proper airflow, preventing the system from overworking and extending its lifespan. By replacing your air filter regularly, you can optimize your AC's functionality and ensure a comfortable and healthy indoor environment during the summer months.

Clean the Air Conditioner's Condenser Coils

Cleaning the air conditioner's condenser coils removes dirt, debris, and dust that have accumulated over time. This step allows the coils to function optimally and transfer heat effectively. Cleaning the coils also helps prevent the buildup of grime, which can obstruct airflow and reduce cooling capacity.

By removing these obstructions, you ensure that the AC can expel heat efficiently, enabling it to cool your space more effectively. This, in turn, reduces the strain on the system and helps it operate smoothly, potentially extending its lifespan.

Clean Ducts

Cleaning ducts remove accumulated dust, dirt, and debris, ensuring optimal airflow for your AC system. By eliminating obstructions, clean ducts allow your AC to operate more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and maximizing cooling performance. Cleaning also helps prevent potential blockages that can hinder airflow and strain your AC, minimizing the risk of breakdowns during hot summer months.

Dirty ducts can circulate allergens, pollutants, and mold spores, which affect your indoor air quality. Cleaning promotes cleaner, healthier air for you and your family. 

Lingering odors in your ductwork can be unpleasant. Cleaning removes built-up particles that contribute to these odors, leaving your home smelling fresher. 

Ultimately, clean ducts enable your AC system to operate at its best, ensuring efficient and effective cooling throughout the summer months.

Straighten the Fins

Straightening the fins helps optimize airflow and overall cooling efficiency. When the fins are bent or misaligned, they restrict the smooth passage of air through the unit.

By straightening the fins, you allow air to flow freely and evenly across the condenser coils, which are responsible for releasing heat from your home. This improves the heat transfer process and enables your AC to operate more efficiently, keeping your home cool and comfortable.

To straighten the fins, an HVAC professional can use a fin comb, a tool specifically designed for this purpose. They will gently comb through the fins, straightening any bends or kinks you come across. This ensures optimal airflow, enhances cooling capacity, and may even help prolong the lifespan of your air conditioning system.

Clean Up Around the Outdoor Unit

A professional HVAC expert will remove any debris, such as branches, grass clippings, and leaves, that may have accumulated near the unit. These can obstruct airflow and reduce its efficiency.

Next, the AC expert will clear away any vegetation that has grown too close to the unit. This helps to maintain a minimum clearance of at least two feet around the AC to ensure proper airflow and ventilation.

The expert will check for any obstructions on the unit itself, such as dirt, dust, or cobwebs. They will use a soft brush or cloth to gently wipe away these particles, both from the exterior and the fins of the unit.

The best way to prepare your AC is to contact Mendez Air Conditioning and Heating. We will inspect your unit and do the necessary repairs. Contact us today for professional HVAC services.