Homeowner Spring Checklist for Air Conditioners
The last thing you want is for your air conditioner to break down on a hot Kansas City day. Because we know a lot about air conditioners, the Lancaster team put together this list of things to check to give your AC the best chance of running smoothly without problems this summer. Follow these tips and hopefully, you won’t have to call us for repairs.
Replace Your Air Filters
Hopefully, you change your air filters on a regular basis (once every 3 months at the maximum, but once a month is even better) but if you haven’t changed it lately, make sure you do now. Dirt and debris extracted from the air will eventually build up and reduce the airflow. That means your air conditioner has to work harder to push the air through the system, which means you will pay more in utility bills.
Clean Around the Outdoor Condenser Unit
All winter long, your condenser unit sits outside where it’s exposed to wind, water, dirt, and dust. All debris, like leaves and sticks, should be removed from around the unit. Be sure to keep an eye out for any animals like mice, snakes, or birds that may have made a nest in or around your HVAC condenser unit. Also, check for weeds and vines that could be growing too close to your unit. You want to have two feet of clearance around it to make sure it can get sufficient airflow. While you can, clean around the outside of your unit by yourself, don’t open it up on your own to avoid any injuries. Any cleaning of the inside of your unit should only be performed by a professional.
Check Registers and Vents
Spring is a good time to clean the supply vents. Check that all of the registers are open and that air can flow freely through them. Make sure that furniture, rugs, and curtains aren’t blocking the registers. If the registers look dirty, remove them from the vents and vacuum them to remove dust and pet hair that may have accumulated over the winter. You can wash them with warm water and mild soap as well.
Turn On the Air Conditioner
Once you’ve got everything cleaned and prepped, turn on your AC to make sure air is flowing from the vents and that the air you feel is cool. We recommend you do this early in the spring before it gets too hot and you discover there is a problem. If the air doesn’t feel cool after letting the system run for several hours, give us a call and we’ll come and take a look.
Switch to a Programmable Thermostat
If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, consider upgrading. Programmable thermostats make it easy to use less energy by automatically raising and lowering the temperature in your home when you are asleep or away to save energy. By programming it according to the Department of Energy’s guidelines, you can save up to $200 a year on utility bills.
Schedule Your HVAC System Maintenance
No matter how old your system is, we recommend having a spring tune-up performed. One of our technicians will come to your home and check the refrigerant levels and electrical connections, adjust the tension on belts, replace any worn belts, tighten any loose parts, lubricate all moving parts, and make sure that your system is running efficiently.
Get a Quality Home Comfort System with Lennox
Our focus on customer satisfaction is what has made us successful for the last 20 years and you can count on Lancaster Brothers to fix your furnace and air conditioner and keep you up to date on the latest advances in heating and cooling. If you need heating and cooling repair in Kansas City, give us a call and you’ll see what we mean. And if you need a new furnace, we will be happy to give you a free estimate on replacing your system with a quality Lennox system. We proudly install Lennox equipment, and there are typically rebates and financing available. Our comfort specialists will be happy to go over all the options.