At Pivotal Home Solutions, we receive numerous phone calls every spring from homeowners wanting to know whether or not they can switch their thermostats over to “COOL” before having their air conditioners maintained by a professional.
The simple answer is, “Yes!” according to our cooling experts. There’s no reason to be miserable in a hot, humid home while you’re waiting on your upcoming maintenance appointment, which may be days away.
While it’s not going to jeopardize the effectiveness of your system in the long run to turn your AC on now, it’s still highly recommended that you make a maintenance appointment with a professional before the sizzling hot days of summer arrive.
Why do I need to schedule AC maintenance?
During a maintenance appointment, a cooling expert will thoroughly inspect all parts of your system. He or she will be able to detect potential problems before they result in a system breakdown. Also, the technician will clean your unit so it’s not full of dirt and dust. If there is build-up in your air conditioner, it could lead to reduced system efficiency, restricted air flow, or premature wear and tear on vital parts of your unit.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when turning your AC on for the first time this season:
- Don’t forget to switch your thermostat over to “COOL.”
- Make note of any odd sounds you hear – write them down so you remember to tell the technician who comes to your home for your maintenance appointment.
- It may take a little time to cool your home. Don’t expect the temperature to be comfortable within a few minutes on an 80+ degree day.
- Replace your furnace filter so you can have fresh, cool air blowing through your home when you first run your AC this season.
- If you see any leaks or puddles around your outdoor air conditioning unit, and they weren’t caused by precipitation, make note of it for your AC technician.
So, there you have it! There’s no need to wait until your cooling maintenance appointment before turning your air conditioner on for the season.