As cooler temperatures leave and warmer weather arrives, you should consider inspecting your air conditioning unit and including it on your indoor and outdoor spring cleaning job list.

There are two significant advantages to checking your air conditioner before warm weather arrives. A clean, well-maintained machine will operate more efficiently and last longer, saving you money on monthly power bills and possibly future repair costs spent on AC repair services.

Also, routine AC checkups before the peak of the summer season can reveal severe issues with your system. If these issues are not addressed, your home may be left without a cooling system during the peak summer months, and you don’t want this, do you?

To help you out, here are some of the measures you should take to get your air conditioning unit ready for the summer season:

Clean the drain line

Drain lines are PVC pipes that transfer moisture and condensation from the indoor air handler unit to the exterior. When these lines become clogged, they can cause major water damage to homes and store mildew and rotten odors.

To begin cleaning your AC drain line, start with the condensate or drain pan, which is usually located under the inside air handler unit. If there is standing water in the drain pan, it may indicate that your drain line is clogged.

Use a wet/dry shop vacuum to remove the pan’s water and moisture. Once the moisture has been entirely removed, clean the drain pan with soap.

To clean a clogged line, use the suction of a shop vacuum to the pipe’s outer base. The drainpipe’s outside base is often situated near the outside condenser. A shop vacuum should be able to remove a tough clog.

After vacuuming the base of the drain pipe and removing the clog, you can clean and flush the line. Begin by locating the drain line’s access point. The drain line will include a T-shaped vent with a PVC cap. This should be the access point.

After removing the cap, select your preferred home cleaning product. Some remedies include Distilled vinegar, hot water mixed with a drop of dish liquid, peroxide, or one cup of bleach.

Pour your preferred cleaner into the drain line and let it settle for half an hour. Follow up with a water flush. Ideally, you will have a helper outside to ensure that the water flows smoothly from the outside.

Checking and cleaning your condensate pan and drain line will not only keep your air conditioner functioning smoothly but also handle any potential drain issues before they cause significant water damage to your property.

Reset your thermostat

This is highly important, especially if you have a programmable or smart thermostat. Make sure to re-calibrate it for the spring and summer months.

Increasing your home’s temperature by 7-10 degrees when it is vacant and during sleeping hours can result in significant monthly electricity bill savings.

According to Energy.gov, you can save up to 10% yearly on cooling expenditures by boosting your thermostat settings by 7-10 degrees for at least eight hours per day throughout the summer months.

Spring is an excellent time to replace your thermostat. If you are considering updating your thermostat from a manual to a programmed or smart thermostat, do it for maximum energy efficiency.

Replace the filters

Depending on the type of filter in your unit, you should replace it as regularly as twice a year or every 30 days. Properly replacing the furnace or air handler filter helps keep your system functioning smoothly.

If the filter is clogged with dust and grime, it will restrict the airflow, forcing your home’s conditioning system to work harder to cool to your preference.

Anytime a system is stretched and working harder than it should, you will pay a larger utility bill and have a higher risk of repairing your system in the future. And you don’t want this, do you?

You should inspect your filters; if they are worn out or dirty, replace them.

Clean the condenser

The air conditioner condenser is a huge square unit that sits outside your home. It normally seems like a huge metal box with a fan within it. Throughout the year, leaves, pine needles, and other debris accumulate inside the condenser.

Removing this trash limits the possibility of mold and rust in your unit. Before you do anything, make sure that the power is turned off.

If unsure, turn off the electricity in your main electrical power box and turn it off to the air conditioning condenser.

Gently unscrew the top grille and vacuum or hand-clean the dirt. Once the debris has been removed, tighten any loose mounting bolts, reattach the top grille, and restore power.

Check the coolant lines.

Coolant lines connect the evaporator on the air handler (within your home) to the condenser unit (outside). These pipes, also known as refrigerant tubes, are insulated with foam to make them as energy-efficient as feasible.

You should inspect the coolant lines and foam coverings for frayed edges or missing foam insulation. Replace the damaged areas with new foam insulation sleeves to prevent further tubing damage and energy loss.

Consider getting a new system.

If you follow these maintenance instructions and discover that your system is not performing well, it may be time to replace your home’s cooling system. If your home’s air conditioning system is 10 years or older, you may be shocked by the higher expense of repair, which is due in part to a shortage of R-22, an essential coolant.

Furthermore, contemporary air conditioning systems have increased their energy efficiency.

While an outdated cooling unit that isn’t working correctly may be pushing up your electricity rates during the hot summers, a more energy-efficient model can save 20-40% on cooling energy expenditures compared to a unit that’s 10 years old.

You should work closely with your air conditioner repair service Stony Brook providers to determine whether you need a new unit. If so, get one.