Top 8 AC Maintenance Tips for Spring Revealed
TL;DR: Spring is the ideal time to prepare your AC for summer. Signs your AC needs maintenance include strange noises, increased energy bills, unpleasant smells, and inconsistent airflow. Follow these spring maintenance tips: visually inspect your AC, change air filters, check the thermostat, clean coils, inspect the condensate drain, seal duct leaks, and consider system upgrades. Schedule professional maintenance for a thorough check-up. Professional inspections catch minor issues and extend your AC’s lifespan, ensuring efficient cooling throughout summer. Contact Summit Air Conditioning in Las Vegas for expert AC maintenance services and tips.
Spring has finally arrived. While it feels great to have more sunny days and higher temperatures, the new season brings new obligations. One of them is preparing your AC unit for heavy usage during the hot summer months.
During spring, the weather is perfect for any outdoor cleaning or repairs, and you’re not using the AC as much, so you can turn it off completely. Technicians are also more available, and scheduling maintenance during spring is often easier and might prevent longer wait times encountered in peak summer.
In this article, we’ll give you some useful AC maintenance tips for spring that will prepare your AC for summer. These suggestions will keep the AC running smoothly and your home comfortable as temperatures rise. So, get ready to give your AC system the attention it deserves this spring with our practical maintenance tips.
Signs Your AC Needs Maintenance In Spring
Regular AC maintenance, regardless of the season, means a spring check-up is simply a part of the routine. However, if you’ve let those inspections slide, your AC might show signs that it urgently requires a once-over.Â
Recognizing these signals can prevent your cooling system from breaking down when temperatures rise. Come indicators include:
- Rattling noises while operating: Noises like grinding, squealing, or rattling can indicate loose components or something more severe within the unit.
- Increase in your energy bills: The residents of Las Vegas pay around $141.73 on their monthly energy bills. If you notice that amount creeping up without a corresponding increase in usage, it can mean your AC is working harder than it should to cool your home, pointing towards inefficiency in the system.
- Unpleasant smells: These odors can be caused by mold or mildew buildup, which affects air quality and health.Â
- Long time to reach the set temperature: This lag suggests your system struggles, reducing your comfort and possibly hiking up your energy costs.
- Inconsistent airflow: A different level of airflow in various parts of your home can indicate blockages, duct issues, or failing components. One room can be freezing, while another feels like the Sahara. This inconsistency means your system is not doing its job evenly.
The Steps Of Spring AC Maintenance
When spring arrives, and you’re eager to swap out the warmth for a more comfortable, cool indoors, remember that your air conditioning system has been on a long break. It might look like just two main pieces—the part that hums quietly inside your home and its outdoor counterpart—but trust me, it’s much more complex than that.
You might not see all the parts and components that work tirelessly to keep you cool, but they need attention to perform at their best. To ensure you cover everything, create a maintenance checklist. This way, you can tick off each task as you complete it and not skip a step.
Do A Visual Inspection
Look for rust, loose connections, or damaged insulation on the refrigerant lines. If you notice anything unusual, call a professional for a closer look. Simultaneously, clear the area around the indoor and outdoor units from debris, such as leaves, twigs, or dirt, which can impede airflow and efficiency.
Change the Air Filters
One of the most effective ways to keep your AC in good working order is to change the air filters regularly. A dirty filter can restrict airflow, causing your system to struggle. That leads to increased energy consumption and reduced cooling efficiency. A clean filter can improve energy usage by 15%. Aim to replace your air filter every 30 to 90 days, depending on your usage and the type of filter your system uses.
Check the Thermostat
Take a moment to check if the thermostat is working correctly and consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat. With a programmable thermostat, you can tell the AC to turn off or on at specific times or to lower the temperature when you’re not there. That can save you up to 10% on your electricity bill.
Clean the Coils
Your AC’s evaporator and condenser coils can develop a build-up of dirt over time, reducing their ability to absorb and release heat. Gently cleaning these coils at the start of spring can help your AC run more efficiently. However, because this task can be tricky and requires handling parts that can be easily damaged, leave this job to a professional.
Inspect the Condensate Drain
A clogged condensate drain can increase humidity levels in your home, leading to water damage. You can check the drain by looking for water pooling around the indoor unit or use a stiff wire to clear any blockages in the drain channel. If you’re uncomfortable doing this, a professional can easily take care of it during a routine maintenance visit.
Seal Leaks in Ducts
If your home has ductwork, you should know that leaks or gaps in the ducts can reduce your AC’s efficiency by 30%. You can use a smoke stick or incense to detect leaks, as the smoke will waver where there are drafts. For minor leaks, duct sealing tape can provide a temporary fix, but you might need to call a professional for more significant leaks.
Consider System Upgrades
If your AC system is old or you’ve been experiencing ongoing issues, spring is an excellent time to get an upgrade. Modern ACs are more energy-efficient, quieter, and offer better cooling performance than older models. While the initial investment might seem high, a new system can save you up to 40% on energy bills.
Schedule Professional Maintenance
Even if you’re handy and feel comfortable performing basic maintenance tasks, having your AC system professionally serviced at least once a year is a good idea. Trained technician can perform more thorough inspections and catch potential issues you might miss. This annual check-up typically includes checking the refrigerant levels, testing the system’s electrical components, and ensuring the system operates at peak efficiency.
Benefits of Professional AC Inspection and Maintenance
Having your AC professionally inspected every spring brings a host of advantages that you’ll appreciate as the warmer months roll in. A thorough check by an expert can catch any minor issues your untrained eye can miss. Moreover, regular expert maintenance keeps your system in top shape, providing consistent cooling throughout your home.
By hiring a professional to keep your system in good working order, you’re likely extending its lifespan, avoiding early replacement. This proactive care keeps your AC running smoothly, so you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re set for the summer without unexpected breakdowns.
Keep Your AC In Good Shape This Spring
Keeping your AC in good working order involves some straightforward yet significant steps. Checking and replacing the air filters regularly, keeping the AC free from debris, and scheduling a professional tune-up are critical tasks as the warmer months approach. By focusing on these maintenance tasks this spring, you’re setting yourself up for a season of efficient cooling and no breakdowns.
If you don’t have the time, Summit Air Conditioning in Las Vegas is here to help you complete your spring to-do list. Our team of AC technicians can maintain your AC no matter the season. We have been in the AC business for over a decade and can help you maintain, repair, or replace any cooling or heating system you want.
Give yourself a break – call us to inspect and maintain your AC or give you some AC maintenance tips for spring until you schedule a professional inspection.
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