As summer comes to an end, it’s time to start thinking about the fall and winter. It’s a good idea to wrap up the season with our simple end-of-summer AC maintenance tips. By taking care of your AC system, you can catch small issues and make sure it’s in good shape before the temperatures fall.
Why Should You Maintain Your AC Before the Fall?
Your AC works hard to cool your house during the summer. This frequent cycling can put wear on the system, causing small problems with fans, motors and other internal components. Those issues can get worse during the fall and winter — and when you turn the AC on again in the spring, you could end up with reduced performance or bigger repairs.
Even if nothing is broken, extra wear on your AC can cause it to run less efficiently. By adding an inspection and tune-up to your HVAC preventative maintenance plan, you can ensure everything is in good working order.
End-of-Summer AC Maintenance Tips
As you’re getting your home ready for the colder months, we recommend spending some time on your AC system. Use these end-of-summer AC maintenance tips to get started.
Replace the Air Filter
Dirty air filters can cause all sorts of issues in your AC, from short-cycling to frozen evaporator coils. When your AC has been running strong all summer, it’s probably pulled a considerable amount of dust and small particles into the filter.
Before the summer ends, replace your existing air filter with a fresh one. This can help improve your indoor air quality, and you’ll be ready for the winter heating season.
Clean Up the Outdoor Unit
If your AC has an outdoor component, take some time to clean it before fall sets in. Use a rake to move sticks, leaves and other items from the outer casing. In general, it’s a good idea to have a clear 2-foot radius around the unit to allow ample airflow.
Clean Your Vents
Just like the air filter, your vents can pick up a lot of dust, grease and debris during the summer. When you’re ready to turn off the AC for the year, do a deep clean of the vents. First, remove the covers and wash them in soapy water.
While your vent covers dry, use a vacuum to remove any dust from the exterior and interior of the ducts. Make sure nothing is blocking the vent, such as curtains, furniture or toy boxes. Rugs are another common culprit, but adding a nonslip rug pad can help. If your ducts look extra-dirty, consider scheduling an air duct cleaning.
Check the Condensate Drain Line
The condensate drain line moves the evaporated moisture out of your home. It might be located near your indoor HVAC unit or on the outside of your house. Make sure the line is draining and that the drain pan isn’t overflowing. Look for cracks and other damage, and clear away any debris from the end of the pipe.
Think the drain line might be clogged with debris? You can use a shop vac to suction out solid material. Then, flush the line with a mix of water and white vinegar to rinse away any leftover sludge.
Clean the Coils
Dust and dirt tend to collect on your evaporator and condenser coils over the summer, creating a layer of grime. When it’s not cleaned off, the dirt can insulate the coils and cause freezing or lower system performance.
If you’re comfortable with basic maintenance, you can clean the coils yourself with a soft brush or a vacuum. Bear in mind that the coils are delicate, so you may want to schedule an air conditioning inspection and cleaning.
Call in a Professional
The end of summer is the perfect time to schedule your annual AC maintenance visit. An HVAC technician can inspect the system, clean up the internal components and check for inefficiencies. You won’t need to learn how to check AC refrigerant levels — they can do it for you, and they’ll also look for leaks.
During the appointment, mention any unusual behavior you’ve noticed, such as short-cycling or uneven cooling. The earlier you fix AC issues, the easier it is to control energy costs and help your system last longer.
AC maintenance might not be the first thing on your mind in the fall, but it’s one job you should definitely add to your pre-fall checklist. With our end-of-summer AC maintenance tips and a professional inspection, you can feel confident that your system will be ready to run efficiently in the spring.
Call our team at Anderson Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric. We can help you fix small problems now, so they don’t become more expensive repairs next summer. Contact us to schedule an inspection today.
