Summer Air Conditioning Preparation Guide

The Florida Summer is fast approaching, and the heat is going to get worse and worse.  Soon your air conditioner will be working around the clock, struggling to keep your house cool against the relentless sun and humidity of the Florida Summer.  Before that happens, it’s always a good idea to check and make sure everything is working the way it is supposed to.  Things are more likely to go wrong during the hottest months when the AC is working the hardest, so you will probably want to schedule a routine maintenance check-up for your system.  However, here are a few things you can do on your own to get your AC ready for the summer.

Change Air Filters

Because your AC generally doesn’t run as much in the cooler winter weather in Florida, you may not have needed to change the filter as often.  It’s always a good idea to keep the filter clean according to the recommendations of the manufacturer, and in the summer months because the system will run much more often, you may have to change the filters more frequently.  In any case, check the filter before the summer begins and make sure the filter is clean and the system can run efficiently.

Clean around the Outdoor Unit

Because the system will be running so much more often, you want it to be able to run as efficiently as possible.  This means it’s a good idea to inspect the outdoor unit and make sure it has appropriate ventilation and can circulate air smoothly in order to maintain its efficiency.  Generally the Florida growth season comes with the higher levels of rain and sun we get during the summer, but it’s still a good idea to check and make sure nothing has grown up around the AC unit during the winter, or that debris like fallen leaves hasn’t covered or plugged up the condenser.

Casual Inspection

It’s probably a good idea to check out the various parts of your AC system while it’s running—even a casual visual inspection can be helpful.  See if you notice anything out of the ordinary while the system is running.  Does the air handler make a new weird noise you never heard before?  Are the vents blowing the way you remember them blowing last season?  Does everything feel right?  Does the house get appropriately cool when the system is running?  Anything you can notice early when you start the system back up will help you identify problems that can be addressed as quickly as possible before the heat really gets bad.

One of the best things you can do is schedule a yearly or twice-yearly maintenance package for your AC system right before summer begins to make sure everything is working as it should.  If you want to talk to experienced technicians about your AC system and maintenance, be sure to call All Day Air Cooling & Heating at (239) 357-0727.