Our Central Air Conditioning Systems runs nonstop during the warmer months to keep us cool. However, as cooler autumn weather approaches, it’s crucial to ensure that our air conditioner is in good working condition. There are a few other reasons to prepare an air conditioner for fall. For example, it is a good time to check the system’s health, and the process it takes to prepare your air conditioner for falls will allow you to make sure everything is working. This blog from West Hollywood Heating and Air Conditioning, your trusted provider of quality heating & furnace services, offers you effective ways to prepare your AC this fall.
As you get ready to head into fall and for the cold days to come, it is easy to forget about your air conditioner and the things you will need to do to prepare your Central HVAC System for the fall. But don’t worry because these are very doable; just a few easy measures will keep your HVAC system running well during the chilly fall and winter months. Keep in mind that it has been operating at maximum capacity for the past four months; come spring and summer, you will need that air conditioner to be in tip-top shape. Here’s how to get your Central HVAC System ready for the cooler weather of autumn:
- Clean the Surroundings of the Unit– It’s common for lawn clippings, leaves, or even trash and other debris. A little autumn cleaning is for more than just appearances. Leaving trash around the condenser can cause a host of problems: it can attract rodents, cause a buildup of twigs, leaves, or grass, and organic matter break down that can be a breeding ground for bacteria. This can potentially disrupt clean airflow and hinder the efficiency of your system. Use a hose and remove all debris by gently washing away any debris that has built up one HVAC system.
- Clean Indoor Vents & Seal Ducts– You can also prepare for the winter season by cleaning around your vents and sealing your ductwork. The vast majority of homes have leaky air ducts and lose some of the air through leaks that are supposed to heat or cool your living spaces, which can lead to uneven treated air.
- Cover It – Once the unit has been cleaned, the top of the condenser should be covered. The unit should be covered for two main reasons. The primary use is to shield the unit from ice and snow. Rust forms once it rains. Furthermore, heavy icicles can break the blades of open fans. The second factor is the presence of animals that may be nesting in or around the structure. A sheet of plywood, weighted down with a brick or cinder block, is the finest way to protect your HVAC system from the elements.
- Change the Air Filter – Air filter replacement is easy, cheap, and crucial for your system. Fine particles, such as dust and dirt, are screened out by the filter. Thus, it is prevented from entering the system and causing damage. However, the filter will become clogged with the debris it catches. Because of a blocked filter, the system fails to function properly. The furnace is linked to the central air conditioning coil in your home. The ducting and fan motor are shared between the two, so there is only one filter to maintain the efficiency of both the furnace and the air conditioner. That’s why you shouldn’t skip this step as part of your AC maintenance this fall.
- Check For Refrigerant Leaks– Without proper refrigerant levels, your air conditioner can’t cool your home. Unfortunately, due to its gaseous nature, refrigerant can leak out of your system even when your air conditioner is not being used. After you operate your air conditioner for the final time, it’s a good idea to have a technician check for refrigerant leaks so that you’re not losing refrigerant all winter.
- Turn Off Power – Some people don’t realize that your air conditioner can fall victim to a power surge, just like any other electronic device. Since you won’t be using your air conditioner in the fall, it makes sense to cut power to your air conditioning equipment to reduce the risk of surge damage. Just be sure to remind yourself to turn the power back on before you operate your air conditioner for the first time in the spring.
- Have Your Furnace Tuned Up – As you get into the inner workings of your air conditioner to prepare it for fall, it makes sense to prepare your furnace for winter at the same time. That way, you can be sure your furnace will be ready to provide the heat you need the moment that the temperature outside dips too low. Combining these tasks will help to maintain the overall integrity of your HVAC system for years to come.
- Monitor Temperature Gauge– As you check your AC unit, keep an eye on the thermostat to see if the temperature stays where you want it to. If the room temperature fluctuates or if the unit seems to run for several minutes before cooling the air to the specified temperature, you may have a problem. A thermostat that does not register the actual temperature or maintain the programmed temperature should be checked by a technician.
- Check Alarms and Smoke Detectors– Your carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms protect your home and family. Check these systems for proper working before the fall season. Replace your old batteries and upgrade the smoke detectors if they are over ten years old. Check the manufacture date mentioned on the back to know how old they are and when is the correct time to replace them.
- Get Professional HVAC Tune-Up – Your air conditioner needs to have been checked out before the cooling season starts. If not, you still have the summer to check everything over and maybe prevent a breakdown. Comparatively, tune-up services are far more affordable than repairs. Systems cleaning, electrical component testing, and the replacement of faulty or worn-out components are all available at reduced costs. Spending some money to ensure the system is in tip-top form for the upcoming cold snap is money well spent.
After doing all the preparation for fall, and you’re still skeptical about the performance of your air conditioning systems, it is a good time to ask whether the unit needs to be repaired in any way or even replaced. In doing this last step on your fall preparation checklist, you should call West Hollywood Heating and Air Conditioning to do an assessment on your system. From there, you can get any needed preventative maintenance done and get started planning a replacement if that’s deemed necessary.
Fine-tuning your HVAC system can be daunting, and you don’t have to do it on your own if you don’t want to. West Hollywood Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help. If you want to learn about our services, don’t hesitate to call our hotlines today!