Spring has sprung and temperatures are springing upward with it. Sure, we still have to get through Dogwood Winter (and Blackberry Winter and Redbud Winter and…), but in the weeks to come, we’ll depend on the central heat less and less, and before long, turn it off entirely. All too soon after that, we’ll be reaching for the central air conditioning switch. Before that day arrives, here are some steps you can take to ensure your heating, ventilation and air conditioning system is ready for summer.
When you do your outdoor spring-cleaning, picking up limbs around your property, raking leaves, etc., remember to examine your outside AC unit. Give it a visual once-over for obvious signs of damage from ice and snow. Also, ensure that no vegetation is growing up around it that could interfere with its function. You can use this occasion to inspect the condensate line for any blockage and clear any potential obstructions, too. Indoors, when it’s close to time to turn on your AC, wipe up any dust that has gathered on the central air intake and outflow vents. If you didn’t change your HVAC system’s air filter before you turned the heat off, remember to change it when you are ready to start using the air conditioner.
After the days have warmed up enough that you are no longer using your central heat, it’s also a good idea to test your AC. It’s best to wait until we have had a couple of warm, sunny days in a row before running it. Close any open windows and doors, set the thermostat below the current indoor temperature, and then turn the AC on. Let it run for several minutes, and listen for any unusual noises from the unit – rattling, squealing, popping – just any sounds you don’t normally hear. If you hear anything out of the ordinary, turn off the unit and call us at 865-922-2817. We will be happy to come out and go over the system for problems. Assuming the AC sounds like it normally does, go through a couple of rooms in your house and hold your hand in front of air vents. If the air is cool, then things are fine. If it is warm, once again, give us a call and we’ll check it out for you. This way, you’ll find out if the unit has issues before the real warm weather sets in.
Of course, the best, and easiest, step to take to prepare your air conditioning for summer is to have a qualified Pioneer Heating and Air technician perform a preventive maintenance checkup on it. Our technicians go through an exhaustive checklist, which includes checking refrigerant levels, inspecting and lubing motors and bearings, examining wiring and electrical components and more, to ensure that your air conditioning unit is good to go for the summer.
So, schedule an HVAC preventive maintenance check with Pioneer Heating and Air this spring. Then you can be assured that your air conditioning is in peak condition before you really need it. Call us, email us at [email protected] or schedule a checkup online at https://pioneercomfort.com/contact.
