Summer is certainly one of the nicest times of year to spend outside here in Raleigh NC, but when you’re indoors, you want to experience the season in cool comfort. To make sure you can find relief where you need it most—in your home—you’ll want to ensure that your air conditioning system is in perfect working condition. While many Raleigh homeowners opt to schedule their routine HVAC service calls for early summer, there are also several things you can do by yourself to make sure your Air Conditioning system is ready to go before you turn it on. For those of you who don’t know where to start, we’ve put together a quick 3 step AC summer checklist for you:
1-Take a good hard look at your AC unit(s)
A quick visual check should be your first order of business when dusting off your Cooling system for summer use. You’ll want to check for dirty air filters, puddles of water, and any ice forming on your AC unit or units. While air filters are easy to replace by yourself, leaks and ice buildup will likely require professional help for a reliable local Heating and Air Conditioning company.
2- Check your thermostat
It might sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by the sheer number of Raleigh homeowners who don’t check to make sure their thermostat is set correctly or stocked with full batteries before they try using their air conditioning. Make sure your batteries are charged, your thermostat display is functioning properly, and that your thermostat is set to the desired level.
3-Change your air filters
There’s a good chance that dust or grime has accumulated on your air filters during the winter months, especially if you live in a high-density urban area like Raleigh, Cary, or Durham. Even if you live in a less dense area of the Triangle like Wake Forest though, you’ll still want to check your filters before firing up your HVAC system for summer use, since a dirty filter can reduce your unit’s airflow and cause it to overwork. While you’re at it, check the area around your outdoor unit to make sure there’s no nearby debris. Twigs, leaves, and anything else that could enter your system should be cleared to at least 2 feet away.
Basic AC maintenance is relatively easy, and it can save you a lot of time when you call in a professional Heating and Air Conditioning company for service. Since you’ll likely be paying them by the hour, this makes it well worth doing a few simple things on your own beforehand. Follow the steps above to prevent numerous common AC problems from wreaking havoc with your air conditioner just before you’ll need it.
Stay cool, and good luck this summer!
