6 Things You Must Do before Switching Your AC on for Spring

Has springtime arrived? Well, even if it hasn’t being prepared never hurts. That said, when it is springtime, and you’re tempted to turn on your AC, the first thing you should do is put the remote down.

That’s right! You should not turn on the AC just yet. There are a couple of things you should do to ensure your AC is performing at its best. Failure to do these things can result in things like higher electricity bills, a struggling AC, and the like.

So, what are “these things” we’re talking about? They’re tips that we want to share with you today:

1. Check the Outdoor Unit Panels and Fans

Before you turn on your AC, perform a quick inspection of your outdoor unit panels and fans. You won’t be shocked to hear that your unit can’t be at its best if the panels and fans are damaged. Worn panels and fans can lead to a very inefficient unit. And that, in turn, means you’ll be paying more on your next electricity bill.

With that in mind, you’ll want to remove any leaves and debris that have collected between the panels and fans. You’ll also want to check the screws to make sure they’re tight. Otherwise, you might end up dealing with an incredibly noisy outdoor unit.

2. Fix Damaged Pipe Insulation

Springtime is when you’ll want your AC to be at its best. That’s when you’ll need maximum air conditioning. But if your hard, insulating pipe is damaged, you’ll waste a ton of electricity. In fact, you can lose as much as 10% of your AC’s efficiency because of damaged pipe insulation.

You don’t have to be a skilled DIYer to fix damaged pipe insulation. You can find easy-to-follow videos online that will help guide you.

3. Clean Up the Outdoor Coil

When you experience problems with your AC, the first thing to check is the coil or evaporator coil. If you don’t know what that is, it’s the part of the system that pulls heat from the air and out of the home. If it’s damaged, your AC won’t be able to do its job.

4. Inspect the Evaporator

Moving on, it’s time to examine the evaporator. This is the part of the AC unit that’s actually responsible for removing heat from the indoor air. Look at the evaporator and see if it’s damaged. If it is, you’ll have to replace it.

5. Check the Capacitors

Another thing you’ll want to check is the capacitors. In layman’s terms, the capacitors are what help make the AC run. So, if they’re damaged, the AC will struggle to run.

6. Look at the Condenser

Lastly, it’s time to take a look at the condenser. This part of the AC unit pulls heat out of the air and turns it into something less, well, hot. Once again, you’ll want to check to see if the condenser is damaged or worn.

Conclusion

If you haven’t noticed, we’re focusing on the outdoor unit. Why? That’s because, in a typical AC, the outdoor unit is 75% of the system. Plus, it is the main part of the AC that has to deal with the outside environment, and since it is springtime by the time you do all these things, it has just endured a cold winter. So, be sure to check your AC’s outdoors unit and the interior unit before turning it on. This way, any problems can be identified and fixed before it is too late, and you can enjoy a fully functioning AC unit.

Good Guys Home Services offers a platform that helps homeowners with technicians for any heating, air conditioning, and plumbing services. If you are looking for AC repair services in Indiana, find a technician with us today!