How to prepare your air conditioner for summer?

Living in the northeast we deal with harsh winters and hot summers. Before the warm weather changes to the hot summer months, it is a good idea to ensure you prepare your air conditioner for summer by following the steps in this article to ensure the system can handle the heat and you can head off any possible issues that may arise before the temperature gets too hot!

Here is the list of tasks that I follow year after year to ensure my AC runs smooth and keeps my home cool all summer long.

Do you want to know how to prepare your air conditioner for summer? First, it’s a good idea to test and start this process in the mild spring temperatures above 65 degrees. This will allow you time to fix any issues that come up before the hot summer months. You should never run your air conditioner when the outside temperature is below 65 degrees. Follow the next several steps to ensure your AC is serviced and ready for the higher temperatures.

To get your AC ready for use after winter:

• Remove any covers installed on the condenser.
• Make sure the condenser is clean, including the fins (To clean the fins, use a soft brush such as a toothbrush or small car cleaning brush). Gently run the brush across each fin, being careful not to bend the thin metal.- check the fins for no damages – if it is bent straighten them
• Check the refrigerant lines for insulation around them.
• Ensure the slab or ground that the condenser is sitting on is still level and sound. During the colder months, it can crack or become unlevel resulting in a noisy condenser.
• Clean all supply and return vents and grilles.
• If you have a dampener make sure you change the direction for summer.
• Open all your registers to allow the air to flow freely.
• Check indoor unit for any damage
• Clean or replace the air filter.
• Ensure the condensation line that carries water away from your unit is not clogged. If it gets clogged it can back up into your home and cause a lot of damage like mold and mildew.
• If your unit has a humidifier, make sure you turn it all the way down.
• Make sure the unit has power since some homeowners turn off the AC breaker at the panel when they stop using it in the cooler months. Go check your breaker to ensure the AC unit is receiving power.
• At this point, you can turn on your AC unit at the thermostat. Be sure to change your thermostat to the right settings Ie; switching it from off/heat mode to cool mode

If you central air conditioner is older you might want to consider seeking the help of a professional for a tune up.

For more information and helpful tips to ensure your AC continues to run cool all summer long continue reading below or watch the video.

How to safely start your AC after winter?

There are several AC options such as a window air-conditioner unit, an HVAC ducted or ductless model and a floor model. Since a ductless, floor model and window air conditioner are straightforward we will be concentrating on a ducted central air conditioning solution in this article.

First, and the easiest, but often most important and ignored step, is to ensure the air filter is clean.

You should replace the air filter about every 90 days or whenever they look like they have a lot of dust or debris on them. Ignoring this step can cause the dust to slow down the air flow, which causes your unit to work harder, become less efficient and allow more dust to be spread throughout your home.

How to properly maintain and clean your outside condenser unit and connections?

• Check the electrical disconnect and make sure the fuses are intact and there is no debris inside the box
• Check the electrical line from the electrical disconnect to your unit for any damage
• Inspect the small pipe and large pipe for any damage
• The large pipe should have insulation around it if parts are cracked or falling off, buy a new piece and insulate the pipe secure with electrical tape

How to clean the air conditioner condenser coils?

• Use a garden hose to spray the fins to remove any dirt or debris.
  • If needed you can buy AC fin cleaner or mix up some dish soap and a bucket to splash it on the fins.
  • Let the soap sit for a few mins, gently scrub with a brush and rinse clean.
• Tip: Many people think of their air conditioner as adding cool air to the home, but the contrary is true.
  • An HVAC condenser unit is like a large fan with sides fins to move air across a set of condenser coils that do not cool hot air, but rather remove heat like a heat sink and since an evaporator coil is made from copper which conducts heat quickly allowing it to work efficiently.
• Keeping the coils clean is vital to proper heat exchange.
  • When dust and debris collect on coils, the particles form an insulating layer that prevents warm household air from the blower from reaching the chilled metal.
• If you smoke or cook frequently, you may need additional cleaning power for dirty coils.
• In the winter it is a good idea to cover the condenser to reduce the cleanup required in the springtime.

How to turn on the central air conditioner?

• After you have checked your indoor and outdoor ac components you are ready to turn on the air conditioning.
• Go to your thermostat and by now it should be set to the cool mode.
• Turn the temperature down to the desired level.
• Go outside and check that the condenser is turned on, the fan is turning, and running as normal. The air coming out of the top should feel warm.
• Go inside and check to see that there is air coming out of your ducts and it is cool.
• Let the system run for 15 minutes and go back to your thermostat to see that the inside temperature is lower than before.

What are the parts of a central HVAC system?

Outside – condenser unit, condenser coil, fan, compressor, electrical and coolant lines.

Inside – thermostat, evaporator drain lines, air handler (blower), air filter, drip pan, supply and return ductwork, some have pumps to remove condensation, ductwork, and registers

How to cut cooling costs?

Keeping a home cool can get expensive. Here are some bonus tips to help keep costs down for cooling your home:

1. Start by installing ceiling fans. 
   • A ceiling fan will help circulate air and allow you to feel more comfortable at higher temperatures giving your air conditioner a break.
2. Clean or change your air filter. 
   • A dirty air filter will reduce the air flow causing your air conditioning system to have to work harder than normal to cool your home. 
3. Install a smart programmable thermostat. 
   • This is an easy cost-effective way to ensure you are cooling your home in the best way possible. 
   • A smart thermostat can be set up to keep the temperatures higher when you are not home or on vacation which can save up to 20 percent on cooling costs.
4. Like most homes, especially with older windows, you can see more than a 30 percent increase in heat coming through the windows. 
   • Installing shades, insulated curtains or window film can help combat the increased heat to reduce the wear on the air conditioning unit.
5. Maintenance is a must! 
   • Maintaining your unit as described above is key for the air conditioning system to operate as efficiently as it was designed. 
   • Neglecting to clean the outdoor unit it can cost up to 30 percent more on your energy bill to cool the home.
   • To ensure your HVAC equipment will last you need to plan on having it professionally serviced every other year which can keep it operating efficiently and save money on costly repairs from neglect.
6. If your existing unit is 15 years or older you may want to consider replacing the unit with a newer, more efficient model that will help save money and pay for itself in several years.

What temperature should you turn the AC on?

Always ensure the outside temperature is above 65 degrees Fahrenheit

How do I troubleshoot my central air conditioner?

To troubleshoot your central air conditioning check out the following scenarios and steps for fixing your issue.

The AC unit wont turn on?

• If you cannot get the unit to turn on chances are a breaker is off or it is not getting power.
  • Check the electrical fuse outside near the condenser and check the breaker in your electrical panel to ensure both are operating normally.
  • You may want to switch off the breaker and then back on to help reset the unit.
• Another issue could be the thermostat is not operating normally.
  • If it is not sending the signal to the unit to turn on it could be due to a faulty thermostat, it’s not in the cool mode, or a wire could be damaged.
• Check the electrical fuse outside near the condenser and check the breaker in your electrical panel to ensure both are operating normally.
  • You may want to switch off the breaker and then back on to help reset the unit.
• Another issue could be the thermostat is not operating normally.
  • If it is not sending the signal to the unit to turn on it could be due to a faulty thermostat, it’s not in the cool mode, or a wire could be damaged.

The AC turns on but the air is not cold or the house isn’t getting cooler?

• Check that the thermostat is operating normally, it is in the cool mode and the temperature is set to below what the current temperature in the room is.
• Check the condenser to ensure it is clear of debris, getting power, and if needs to be cleaned read above on how to get it ready for warm weather.
• If all that is fine it could be that the refrigerant in the unit is below the adequate amount or can be a faulty compressor. You will need to call a professional at this point.
• If the air is not circulating as normal or not blowing from the registers as normal then you need to check the air filter and the ductwork to ensure they are clean and not clogged.

How much does it cost to replace a central air conditioning unit?

To replace an existing outdoor air conditioning unit with a comparable unit it can cost between $900 to $3000 without installation. The installation will typically cost $500 to $1000. There are several variables that come into play on those averages such as the tonnage of the unit and its seer rating above any installation complexities.

How long does a central air unit last?

Most central air conditioners can last up to 15 years or longer. Maintenance will be key to ensure the longevity of the equipment.

Can you replace just the outside AC unit?

Yes, you can just replace the condenser and parts of the outside equipment. If you are replacing the outside unit ensure it is sized appropriately for the home, climate and indoor equipment.

Conclusion:

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