Ah, Spring. Flowers are blooming, days are growing longer, and temperatures are rising. However, before you turn on the air conditioner for the first warm days of the season, you should do a few things to guarantee your system is ready for the summer.

If spring has arrived and you’re about to turn on the air conditioner for the first time this season, you might have the impression that all you have to do is switch it on and ensure it works. However, failure to adequately prepare your system can result in significant—and costly—problems in the coming months.

You may have exorbitant utility bills and an underperforming system without sufficient preparation. You may even overwork your unit, causing the HVAC to fail. And this can cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and replacements. And you don’t want this, do you?

So, how do you prepare your system to operate smoothly and effectively on even the hottest summer days? Here is how to go about it as given by AC repair services:

Inspect the outdoor unit panels

To prepare your system for the first spring run, properly inspect your exterior HVAC unit, beginning with the outdoor unit panels. These panels contain the electrical connections and must be installed to safeguard you and the system.

If a panel is missing (perhaps due to wind) or is misaligned, it may pose a risk to you and the system. If the panel covering the electrical connections is missing or out of place, contact a trained HVAC professional before turning on your system to prevent the risk of electric shock or fire.

Fix any damaged pipe insulation.

Inspect your lines and pipes once you’ve removed any insulation or covers. The suction line, the larger copper pipe on the outdoor unit, helps to return cool refrigerant to the outdoor unit’s compressor. If the insulation in the system’s suction pipe is compromised, the outdoor unit may not receive the necessary cooling. This can cause system damage and energy loss.

Sun rot, freezing water trapped in the foam, and winter animals hunting for shelter or food are all potential causes of foam insulation damage. So, just because there haven’t been any major storms or other events that caused harm doesn’t imply your foam insulation isn’t deteriorating.

Furthermore, because the foam insulation must be intact to keep the system cool, you should thoroughly inspect it before turning it on. If the insulation needs to be replaced, do so before starting the unit. Check the size of the copper pipe to determine the appropriate insulation size. The insulation can be available at a local hardware shop, so check it out.

Remove debris from the outdoor coil

Depending on where you live or which side of the house your system is on, you may notice garbage or plants blown into or against the coil. The system condenser coils transport heat; therefore, any debris on the coil reduces its effectiveness.

To get the best performance out of your system, remove the debris from the coil and surrounding region, then clean the coil. Also, do not pack mulch around the unit’s base when mulching in the spring.

This is especially critical with heat pumps, as space is usually under the unit. This area must stay open to ensure proper ventilation to the exterior unit. If you use innovative tactics to conceal your AC, ensure they do not obstruct airflow.

Inspect the coil drainage hose

The next step is to inspect the coil drainage hose. You may also know it as the “condensate line.” This is usually a white PVC or copper pipe connecting your home’s interior and exterior. It is commonly found near your HVAC’s outdoor unit.

Because the coil’s temperature is lower than the ambient air, water condenses on the coil and drips into the tray below. This condensate must travel to a drain, or the tray will overflow and swamp the unit, possibly spilling water into your basement. Check to ensure that the line is in the proper location, attached, and will drain to the appropriate area.

Clean the supply vents and return grills.

At this stage, you can sweep the house, ensuring that all vents are clean and free of debris and abstractions. Ensure the supply and return air grills and vents are open and transparent.

Use the vacuum to remove any pet hair or dust gathered over the winter months. Some people prefer to use separate winter and summer supply grills.

Some homes have two distinct systems: one for heating and one for cooling. If you have this type of system, you may need to cover the AC vents with extra plastic to prevent drafts during the cold months.

If so, remove these coverings before turning on the air conditioner, or you will not have sufficient airflow back through the system, which can overwork your system, increase your energy costs, and possibly burn out your HVAC.

Inspect the air coming in.

Now that you’ve thoroughly inspected both your indoor and outdoor units, you must wait for a great, hot day when you can spend some time at home to check your AC’s performance on its first seasonal run.

Check the air flowing out of the indoor vents for the first few minutes after turning it on and every few hours throughout the day. After a few minutes, you should notice cool air coming from the registers. If no air is coming out, it does not feel cool. There is a problem, and you should immediately turn off the system on the thermostat.

You can go through the checklist once more and then try again. If the problem persists, turn off the system and contact a local HVAC contractor to diagnose the issue.

Leaving the machine turned on while it isn’t functioning properly might do significant damage. If your system is not working correctly, it never hurts to call an HVAC specialist for assistance in diagnosing the problem.

Parting shot

These are some of the things you should look for when starting your air conditioner for the first time in spring. For peace of mind and to ensure everything is okay, work with experienced air conditioner repair services Stony Brook providers to hold your hand.