Right before summer arrives is right around the time when homeowners in Edwardsville, IL will no longer be relying on their furnaces to stay warm and instead focus on their AC units to stay cool. What many homeowners fail to realize, however, is there are some steps they should take before turning their AC back on. After all, your AC unit has likely been off for months so taking some steps to make sure it runs well when it finally comes back on is a good idea. Here we want to provide you with some tips before you turn your AC unit back on for the summer.
Cleaning Out the Condenser
One important step you should take before turning your AC unit back on for the summer in Edwardsville, IL is to clean out the outdoor condenser. This means removing the top of the unit and then spraying dust out of the inside using a garden hose. Lots of dust will get sucked into the unit from the outside and it needs to be cleaned in order to ensure your AC unit works properly. Spray the dust so that it does not get pushed further into the coil and avoid using any chemicals which may cause rust.
Check The Temperature of Your Unit
It is crucial to make sure that your AC unit does not feel too hot. Check the temperature of the air that is pushed out of the condenser’s fan while your unit is running. If you notice the heat coming from the top of the condenser is hotter than the temperature outside, it indicates that the transfer of heat from the inside of your home is working. Keep an eye on this frequently through the summer just to make sure everything is running as it should.
Foliage Around Unit
Something homeowners may not think about when getting ready to start using their AC unit again is the foliage that may surround the unit outside. You should aim to keep all foliage trimmed around the unit and keep it all a foot back from all equipment of the unit. Having foliage growing too close to your unit can have negative effects on the unit and its components.
It is important to take these steps before turning your AC unit back on for the summer in your Edwardsville, IL home. If you need help preparing your AC unit for the summer, give our team of HVAC professionals over at Dixon Heating & Air Conditioning a call today!