Is Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer?

As most locals know, Charleston summers can be hot and humid. A working air conditioner is essential for the warm and muggy temperatures, which is why we encourage preparing your AC unit for summer. The high temperatures can present a large workload for your air conditioner, and the system can be quickly overworked due to underlying malfunctions or obstructions.

Many homeowners overlook air conditioning maintenance, because they assume it works the same as last season. However, your air conditioning system can develop a variety of problems from sitting in the off season or finally unveil an underlying problem. In this blog, we discuss the importance of AC maintenance and ways to prepare your air conditioner for summer.

Why Should You Summer-Prep Your AC?

Your AC likely hasn’t had to work during fall and winter, which has given it time to rest. However, even if your air conditioning system is not active, its components still wear down as they wait. Dust and grime can build up on the parts, and unaddressed issues from earlier can return. Below we listed three reasons why you should prepare your air conditioner for the workload the summer season can bring.

Service Interruptions and Repairs

Trying to run your system after such a wait period could cause service disruptions and repair needs. The Anchor Heating & Air team offers emergency repairs for such occasions, ensuring you receive proper airflow for the summer heat. However, the cost could be more expensive than prepping the unit earlier.

Excessive Energy Use

Preparation and maintenance can help prevent AC breakdowns in Charleston at inopportune times, like heat waves or exceptionally humid days. Still, even in cases where the air conditioner continues to function, it may not work optimally. Duct leaks or faulty parts can cause the system to use more energy than necessary, increasing your energy bills.

Poor Air Quality

Poor air conditioning care may cause your indoor air quality to suffer. The EPA found that warmer temperatures and rising carbon dioxide (CO2) levels can increase the number of airborne allergens and particles indoors. An unprepared air conditioner can lead to increased allergies, respiratory distress, and preventable illnesses.

Instead of dealing with these circumstances, you can call the Anchor Heating and Air team for preventative AC maintenance in West Ashley, SC, and nearby areas. Maintenance services could help keep you breathing clean air and comfortable without interruptions in South Carolina’s muggy summer conditions.

How You Can Help Prepare Your AC For Summer

The best way to prepare your air conditioner for summer is by scheduling AC maintenance with Anchor Heating and Air. However, there are a variety of tasks homeowners can perform to help keep their air conditioner running efficiently and effectively. Being proactive about your air conditioning unit can help it work better and last longer. Below we have listed five ways to get your AC unit ready for high summer temperatures.

• Replace Your System’s Air Filters
• Check & Manage Your Thermostat Settings
• Clean The Area Around Your Unit
• Seal Air Leaks
• Schedule AC Maintenance

Replace Your System’s Air Filters

Air conditioning units have many small parts that air passes through and around. If the air carries pollutants and particles, it could damage the internal components and lead to system issues. HVAC air filters help catch these particles to prevent their circulation, keeping internal components clean.

However over time, your air filter will gather a substantial amount of debris, making it less effective. Not only will harmful pollutants pass through a dirty air filter more easily, but also increase the workload of your air conditioner. Your air conditioner will use more energy to push air through the clogged filter, which will cause more strain for the system and increase utility bills. We recommend changing your air filter every 3 months to maintain good indoor air quality and energy efficiency.

Check & Manage Your Thermostat Settings

If your thermostat is improperly set or malfunctioning, it can affect the whole air conditioning system. When turning on your air conditioner for the season, ensure the thermostat has good batteries and reads the correct settings. It should be in cooling mode and set to “Auto.”

We encourage homeowners to raise their thermostat settings whenever possible without sacrificing comfort. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adjusting your thermostat 8-10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs. The easiest times of day to adjust your thermostat is when you’re leaving for work or going to bed, but altering the thermostat can be a forgetful task. To ensure your thermostat is adjusted at specific times throughout the day, we recommend investing in a smart or programmable thermostat. These thermostat options automatically adjust the temperature in your home due to pre-programmed preferences. Not only can this save on energy costs, but give your air conditioner a much needed break as well.

Clean The Area Around Your AC

While we have you covered on cleaning the inside of your unit, it’s up to homeowners to regularly clean the outside of their air conditioner. The condensing unit outside of your home is exposed to all weather conditions and can collect debris. Tree branches, grass clippings, leaves, and trash can hinder the effectiveness of your AC system and cause the workload to increase.

We recommend homeowners weekly check the status of their outdoor AC unit to help improve airflow and efficiency, which can avoid high bills and an AC breakdown in Mount Pleasant, SC and surrounding areas.

Seal Air Leaks

If you have ever felt hot and cold spots around your home, you likely have air leaking. Air can slip out small cracks around your home, which can sometimes be found on windows and doors. If air is escaping, your air conditioner has to work harder to make up for lost air. This can add stress to your air conditioner and lead to other damaged components or a breakdown. Before the summer season is in full swing, we encourage homeowners to seal air leaks around their home to keep cooling costs low and avoid an AC breakdown. An easy and cost effective way to seal air leaks is by caulking and weather stripping.

Schedule AC Maintenance

Air conditioners are complex systems that require a certain level of expertise to be able to perform internal maintenance. While we encourage homeowners to complete tasks such as changing air filters and sealing air leaks, we suggest leaving complex maintenance to the professionals.

The best way to ensure your air conditioner is prepared for the summer heat is by scheduling AC maintenance in Daniel Island, SC and surrounding areas with Anchor Heating and Air. Our expert technicians will thoroughly inspect your air conditioner for malfunctions and arising issues. We perform preventative maintenance tasks such as checking refrigerant levels, lubricating moving parts, and clearing drain lines. All of these maintenance services can help prevent an uncomfortable situation this summer and save you money in the long run.

The summer season is full of fun activities, and the last thing you should worry about is your air conditioner. We can help keep your system running smoothly while keeping cooling costs to a minimum. Give our team of experts a call for AC maintenance and repair in Charleston, SC and surrounding areas today!