As warmer weather is coming, a couple HVAC changes may be, too. Texas homeowners are turning off the furnace and finally starting to open the windows. First off, preparation day. This is the day when you have to turn on your air conditioner for the first time in a while. It is going to happen eventually, and if the summer is anywhere near as hot as it has been in previous years, that day may possibly come a lot sooner than expected. With this in mind, it’s a smart decision to get AC maintenance out of the way first to ensure you’re not met with any initial problems and to avoid potential breakdowns in the hottest part of the summer. Here are a couple of things to look for:

Clear Surrounding Area

Many things can change around your yard in the months you’re not using your AC unit. Do a quick inspection of the surrounding area of your air conditioner and clear the area of any shrubs, plants, weeds, bushes, or debris that has gathered there during the winter months. Clearing the area around the air conditioner helps make sure that the AC unit can get enough air to cool the house and keep debris from entering the AC unit, potentially causing major problems.

Test AC Early

Sometime between March and April, it is good practice turn the AC unit on and let it run for about an hour, minimum. This will ensure it is working properly and if AC repair or maintenance is in order. This way, there is plenty of time to receive that maintenance or repair before the blistering heat sets in. After all, it’s much better to be able to get the air conditioner fixed on your own time instead of getting into an emergency situation in the terribly hot heat.

Check Air Filter

Some filters need to be changed yearly while others are permanent and require regular cleaning. Whichever case it may be, dirty air filters can be a major problem. Energy usage will increase with dirty filters and can cause much greater problems for you and your family, like a frozen evaporator, poor indoor air quality, and many other issues. Make sure you maintain and/or change your air filter earlier in the year and clear the filter of any debris that may cause issues later on.

Inspect Freon

Check Freon levels in your air conditioner. Low Freon may be a sign of a leakage, which could potentially be a major problem. Low Freon levels will decrease the lifespan of an air conditioner compressor, which is the main component of all AC units. If your levels are low, schedule a Freon recharge to prevent overheating.

Test Thermostat

This one may seem like common sense, but be sure to check that the air conditioner thermostat is set on the “cooling” mode. Make sure the temperature is below room temperature to ensure the air conditioner turns on automatically.

AC Basic Maintenance

It is a good idea to call a trusted HVAC professional to do some basic air conditioner maintenance before the heat sets in. A trained HVAC service technician is able to check all of the above as well as complete more technical maintenance and troubleshooting if needed. Call Lyons Air & Heat today for a free inspection!