Things To Do Before Turning on Your AC After Winter

The heat is coming Phoenix and you may have already turned up your air conditioner. When our summer heat gets cranks up, you will want your air conditioner unit to be in tip top shape. There are important steps to take before turning on your AC for the first time because sometimes problems could have developed during the winter.

Get Your AC Unit Prepared and Ready with this seasonal checklist:

Clean and Inspect the Outdoor Unit
Take your time to uncover and inspect the entire unit. The winter months may have caused a build-up of debris, leaves and dirt.  The condenser directs the unwanted heat from your home into the outdoor air. The build-up can cause the unit to run inefficiently obstruction to airflow can put an excess strain on the compressor, which can cause damage and short the lifespan of the unit.


Examine Coolant Lines
Pay close attention to lines and connections. All lines should be intact and completely insulated. The refrigerant in your air conditioner is an essential part of an efficient unit. If the gas is escaping, your system can work all day long without producing the any cold air. Inspect the coolant lines for cracks, any holes, and make sure connections are not loose. Even a tiny hole will cause refrigerant to leak out slowly.

Check Visible Wires
Your air conditioner is an electrical system. Weather or animals might have caused damage to exposed wires as it sat dormant over the winter and any type of distruption to the dispersal of electricity to the unit could shut down the whole system. If there is an concern of damaged electrical wires, turn off the power to the unit and contact an expert. It is important to note in this initial review of your unit, do not touch exposed connections. Also do not remove the cover panel or screws. It is recommended to only check the unit for its visible wiring and note anything that may look abnormal.

Examine Indoor Equipment
Look at your indoor equipment which includes the electrical connections and make sure the circuit breakers are in proper working order. Check out the programmable thermostat setting.

Look for ice around the refrigerant line, which could mean the evaporator coil is frozen. This is an important step as it can lead to broken equipment or possible water damage. If you notice it, contact your HVAC technician.

Check Your Ducts, Vents and Change Air Filter
Next check out your ducts, vents, and air filter to make sure that cool air can circulate appropriately. Have available on hand the required total number of new air filters  and replace every air filter before turning on your AC unit. It can be a chore, but to keep your HVAC unit functioning and preserving its lifespan, it is important to replace air filters every month. By doing so it helps lower energy costs and extends the life of the components. New filters also capture nasty allergens, removing them from the air that you and your family are breathing.

Check all of the vents around your house to make sure they are not obstructed. All exposed ductwork should be fully intact.

Do a Test Run
Once those steps have been completed, turn on your air conditioning. Stick around and pay attention to the start up.  It is recommended that you do not turn it on and leave your residence. If by running the AC you smell a strange odor, hear a loud noise, or if you only feel hot air for a significant period of time, shut off the AC unit off and schedule a repair.

Schedule an Annual Tune-Up
It is important that your HVAC system should receive maintenance at least once a year for both heating and cooling seasons. An qualified HVAC technician will perform a comprehensive tune-up that all your system to operate efficiently for the hot summer months.