As spring approaches, it’s time to get your AC ready to face the summer heat once again. In Leesburg, FL, the heat and humidity demand peak AC performance. You should perform various AC maintenance tasks each spring to ensure you get it. Here are some spring AC maintenance tips to help you get the most out of your cooling system.
Change Your AC Air Filter
The first AC maintenance item you should address each spring is AC air filter replacement. Most AC air filters need to be replaced after 90 days of use. If your AC shares an air handler with your heating system, the days you used your heater count. Skipping the required air filter replacements will have debilitating effects on your AC.
The first ill effect a dirty air filter will have is that it will block airflow through your AC. That means less cool air coming from your vents. It also means your AC works harder to achieve your set temperature. A dirty air filter also increases the wear and tear on your AC’s blower fan. That will shorten its lifespan and potentially cause a failure.
Replacing your AC air filter with one that matches its size, thickness, and MERV rating is essential. If you choose a replacement that’s too big, you’ll struggle to get it into your AC air handler. If you choose one that’s too small, it won’t keep dust and dirt out of your blower fan and evaporator coil. You should also know that installing a higher-MERV filter can improve your home’s air quality. However, it may also adversely affect your AC performance.
Clean Up Around Your Outdoor Unit
The next spring AC maintenance item you should tackle is cleaning up around your AC’s outdoor unit. If you’re unaware, your outdoor unit relies on its ability to pull air in through its sides. As it runs, it transfers heat from inside your home into that air. If anything is blocking the sides of your outdoor unit, its performance will suffer.
Begin by picking up any solid debris that has fallen around your outdoor unit, like branches and twigs. Then, use a broom to sweep up leaves and dirt. That prevents those things from getting pulled toward your outdoor unit while it operates. Aim for at least two feet of unobstructed space on all sides of your outdoor unit.
Rinse off Your Outdoor Unit
Once the area around your outdoor unit is clear, you can rinse off accumulated dirt with a garden hose. Before you do, however, look down through your outdoor unit’s top-mounted fan. If there are twigs or other matter trapped in the fan or its grille, remove them. Use your garden hose on a low setting to rinse the outdoor unit’s coil fins.
Before turning on your hose, turn off the power to your outdoor unit from its nearby disconnect switch. Then, begin by spraying the fins from the inside out via the fan opening. Work on each side from left to right, starting at the top. That ensures the dirt you rinse away keeps moving downward and away from the fins. When you complete the inside, do the same thing on the outside of the fins. When complete, let your outdoor unit dry for an hour or two before restoring its power.
Thoroughly cleaning your outdoor unit improves its ability to transfer heat into the surrounding air. Your AC will run more efficiently and provide adequate cooling on hot days.
Test Your Thermostat
Spring is also a good time to check your HVAC thermostat for proper operation. If it isn’t working properly, neither can your AC. The first thing to check is its ability to read temperatures accurately. You can use any ordinary thermometer to do it. Place the thermometer within a foot of your thermostat and leave it there for at least 20 minutes. After that time, the two readings should match or at least be within a degree of one another. If not, your thermostat may need calibration.
You can find calibration instructions for your thermostat in its operator’s manual. Older thermostats sometimes have a small screw that you turn to calibrate them. Newer digital thermostats typically have a menu option for calibration. If you can’t find the instructions or the calibration fails, consider replacing your thermostat.
Upgrading your thermostat to a smart thermostat is a cost-effective way to improve your AC’s efficiency. According to the Department of Energy, an ENERGY STAR-certified smart thermostat can cut your cooling costs by 8%. Some smart thermostat manufacturers claim their models can do even better than that, offering savings of up to 26%.
Schedule Professional AC Maintenance
So far, we’ve covered everything you can do each spring to prepare your AC for the heat. However, some AC maintenance tasks can only be performed by a professional. That’s why spring is the perfect time for an AC maintenance visit. Professional AC maintenance includes cleaning the parts of your AC you can’t reach. That includes your AC’s blower fan and evaporator coil. The latter can significantly improve your AC’s efficiency and cooling capacity. During a maintenance visit, our technician will also check your system’s electrical connections and lubricate its moving parts.
Most importantly, however, a maintenance visit also includes inspecting your AC’s refrigerant lines. It also includes checking your system’s refrigerant levels. The refrigerant is the medium your AC uses to remove heat from your home. If there’s a leak and refrigerant levels are too low, your AC can’t function correctly. At first, it will diminish the system’s cooling capacity. However, your evaporator coil might freeze if the refrigerant level falls low enough. Your AC will only blow lukewarm air at that point until you address the problem.
If our technicians discover a refrigerant leak during a maintenance visit, they’ll inform you. Then, they’ll discuss your options. If your AC system is relatively new, locating and repairing the leak is preferable. If your AC is an older model, a replacement may be a wiser choice. Older ACs often use phased-out refrigerants that are increasingly difficult to get. And even if we can find them, your costs may rise significantly, making a replacement a better investment. We can even offer financing options on approved credit to help you pay for a new AC.
Your Local AC Experts
Since 2002, M&S Air Conditioning has been a local leader in AC services in Leesburg. Our team of uniformed and background-checked HVAC technicians have ample training and experience. Plus, we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can be sure you’ll always get what you pay for. We also provide a convenient maintenance agreement to make it easy to keep your AC in top shape. Check out our numerous five-star customer reviews for a preview of what to expect from us.
When you’re ready for an AC maintenance appointment at your Leesburg home, call M&S Air Conditioning immediately!
