Okay, it’s still hot out there. But there are hints that cooler weather is on the way. Every day the morning sun comes up just a bit later and night closes in just a bit earlier. While we may not notice these incremental differences day-to-day, we suddenly realize that our days are getting shorter. Another hint at cooler temperatures ahead comes when we start shopping for sweaters and jackets for our kids, and see school buses practicing routes through our neighborhoods. Ready or not, summer will soon be over.
While we may be thinking about assuring that our furnaces are ready for the cooler days ahead, we should not ignore our air conditioners. Taking care of your cooling system will assure that your air conditioning unit gives you the most energy-efficient operation possible, while assuring a long life of dependable service. Proper maintenance also means that your equipment will be ready when you flip the switch from “heat” to “cool” next summer.
In fact, scheduling regular maintenance on your heating and cooling system will keep you and your family comfortable all year long.
There are a few things that homeowners can do to prevent costly problems, even before a maintenance visit is scheduled. While some (handy) homeowners will be comfortable with some of these maintenance tips, others will require a call to a service technician:
- Check for funny sounds or smells. If you hear something rattling when the A/C is on, or if you smell anything abnormal, it could be a sign of a potential leak
- Check for leaks or drips in the drains, nozzles and tubing in order to avoid mildew (or worse yet, mold). The condensation pan under the unit should be regularly drained.
- Fan blades should be checked for corrosion or extensive wear. Blades and condenser coils may also become dirty with continued use and should be cleaned.
- Clean up the area. This summer has been especially good for growing plants and (especially) weeds. When any type of foliage gets too close to the unit, it should be cut back and/or removed. Leaves and other debris can not only be a fire hazard, but may allow insects and other pests a path into the system, which could wreak havoc. (See last month’s post on the damage a mouse can do.)
- Finally, one of the best ways to keep your HVAC system running efficiently is changing the air filter. Whether you have separate filters for the A/C and heat, or use the same for both, each filter should be changed often.
Think of TR Miller Heating & Cooling for all of your HVAC needs. We provide quality workmanship with professional, dependable and courteous service. We offer 24-hour emergency service so that you can count on us to be there when you need us the most.
Grab our Fall Super Savings – Save with your AC tune-up and prep for fall and get that furnace ready for its job ahead. Grab the offer here.
(You can also save that AC tune-up for next season with our offer!)
