With the summer months approaching rapidly many people will find themselves with an air conditioner that is not ready for the season. These are the people that will start up the unit on an 80 degree day only to find that it doesn’t work. To prevent this from happening to you, there are several steps you can take to ensure a cool, efficient, and economical summer.

Testing the A/C

When spring hits it is important to test the air conditioner to make sure that it is working. Many people wait to run the a/c until the first hot day of the summer and find themselves on a waiting list for a technician when the unit doesn’t work. However, there are a couple things to check before turning the unit on. First, make sure that the condenser outside is clear of any obstructions that may prevent airflow into the unit. If the unit has a cover for the cold seasons, it needs to be removed. Next, check the air filter in the furnace. If it is dirty or clogged it must be replaced before the unit is ran. Once these checks have been made switch the thermostat to cool and wait to see if the unit is working. Unfortunately, these steps are not enough to make sure that your air conditioner is running at its optimal efficiency.

Yearly Maintenance

To make sure your air conditioner is working the best that it can, you will need to have a yearly check done by a licensed technician. They are able to clean and check parts of the unit that are not easily accessible and make sure that it is running at its highest efficiency. The technician will also be able to identify any potential problems before they turn into costly repairs. These steps may include:

• Oil Motors
• Check fan belts
• Check fan blade
• Check freon level
• Check amperage draw
• Check temperature draw
• Check temperature drop
• Check electrical connections
• Inspect condensate drain system
• Check thermostat
• Calibrate thermostat
• Clean air conditioner
• Remove all debris from unit
• Inspect furnace filter
• Inspect furnace blower
• Oil blower if necessary

Once this check has been made and the unit given a clean bill of health, the air conditioner is ready for the summer season.

Refrigerant Leak?

Often times, a technician may find that the unit is low on refrigerant (freon). This means that there is a leak in the system. An air conditioner is a closed system that should be able to recycle freon year after year. If your unit is low it is important to have a leak check done. Without a proper leak check there is no way of telling the size or location of the leak. If the unit is not checked and only recharged, or refilled, you are putting the unit at risk. Over time, a unit that is consistently leaking freon can cause the compressor to overheat. Once the compressor is damaged, the unit basically needs to be replaced. Also, refrigerant, or freon, is a gas that is harmful to the environment, and the longer a person runs a leaking system the more damage they are doing to the Earth. A proper leak check and repair are all that is needed to prevent these problems. Any licensed HVAC technician will do one or more of the following tests in order to isolate the leak: a visual inspection, high viscosity liquid leak detector, an electronic detection equipment, an ultraviolet leak detection, or a nitrogen isolation test. If the unit is more then ten years old, it is often suggested that the unit be replaced. This is because if there is a leak in one spot now, chances are there will be another leak somewhere else in no time at all.

Money Saving Options

In our current economy everyone is looking for ways to save money. During the summer months it is easy to try and save a dollar or two by not using the air conditioner, but why suffer on sweltering 90 degree days? There are many options home owners still have to lower the costs of their cooling. Besides the yearly maintenance on the air conditioner, a change of the thermostat to a programmable thermostat can have many benefits. A programmable thermostat allows the owner to pick which times of the day the air would be running and at what temperature. That way energy wont be wasted during the hours that no one is present in the home. It is also important to set the thermostat at the highest temperature possible that still allows the owner to be comfortable. 76 to 78 degrees are good temperatures to conserve energy which therefore conserves money. Also, ceiling fans provide a good alternative to using the air conditioner. By installing a fan, the owner will be able to turn off the air conditioner on more moderate days. Another option would be to check the attic insulation and the duct work. If the attic or ductwork is not properly insulated, the cool air in the summer and the warm air in the winter is being lost. Finally, keeping blinds or drapes closed on hot days keeps excess heat created by the sun out of the home. All of these options will reduce the load on the air conditioner. This will not only increase the longevity of the unit, but it will also save money.

Summer time doesn’t have to be air conditioning hassle. If these precautions are taken any homeowner should be able to enjoy a cool, efficient, and economical summer.

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