We’ve finally made it through the long winter season, and it’s time to think about the upcoming warm weather we’ll be facing soon. Before turning your air conditioner on at full power, be sure the system is ready for the workload it will soon be facing.

Follow these tips to make sure your air conditioner is working efficiently.

Thermostat

Check your thermostat’s display and make sure it’s properly lit. A dim display may indicate that the device isn’t receiving the power that it needs. When there isn’t enough power coming to the system, it could cause your air conditioner to short-cycle, run constantly, or not come on at all. Your thermostat controls when your AC cycles on and off, and if it can’t send the right signals to the unit, your air conditioner won’t know what to do.

If your thermostat is experiencing power-related problems, shut off electricity to the unit from your breaker panel. Remove the thermostat cover from the wall and clear away any dirt or debris that may be built up on the wiring. In time, any build-up can cause the wires to begin deteriorating. If this doesn’t seem to fix the problem, or if everything seems fine inside the device and you still have a dim display, contact a cooling professional. If your thermostat runs on batteries, replace them.

Air vents

Be sure that your wall and/or floor registers aren’t blocked by curtains, furniture, or clutter. When your vents are blocked, cool air from your AC can’t circulate properly throughout your home. This could cause certain rooms or floors in your home to not feel as comfortable as they should. Also, be sure that your vents are in the “open” position.

When looking at your vents, clean them off and remove any dust or dirt that may have built-up over them since the last time you wiped them off.

Filter

During the cooling season, it’s important to routinely change your air filter. The filter is responsible for keeping contaminants in the air from clogging your system. It also keeps the air your family breathes clean and healthy. Check your unit’s owner’s manual to determine what size filter you need, as well as how often to replace it.

Circuits

Check your circuit breaker to be sure the one connected to your air conditioning system hasn’t been tripped or switched off during the off-season. Many times, homeowners will mistakenly think that their cooling system is broken when all that’s needed to rectify the situation is to turn a circuit back into the “on” position.

Condenser unit

This is the device outside your home. Check around the equipment and remove anything that may restrict air flow, such as leaves, bushes, tree limbs, or other debris. If the unit appears to be dusty and dirty, use a garden hose to rinse it off. While rinsing the unit off, perform a visual inspection of all sides of the equipment. If you notice any missing panels, get them replaced. These panels cover electrical components of the system and without protection, they can easily get damaged in the elements.

Refrigerant lines

These are often copper lines that run from the outdoor condenser unit into your home. Check them to be sure that they are properly insulated and not covered in frozen condensation. If the existing insulating material surrounding the lines appears to be damaged, work with an experienced cooling professional to get the issue taken care of.

Schedule air conditioner maintenance

One of the most important and beneficial things you can do for your cooling system is to schedule annual maintenance. During an AC maintenance appointment, a trained and knowledgeable cooling professional will inspect and clean the system and detect problems before they result in a breakdown.

At Pivotal Home Solutions, we offer an affordable Cooling Maintenance Plan for homeowners. To learn more about this home warranty plan, or to enroll, please give us a call.