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Is Your Air Conditioner Ready For Summer?

Anchor Heating and Air is your #StillLocal heating & air conditioning company serving Charleston, SC and the surrounding areas. 

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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!

steph and david a7f65258
About The Author

Stephanie Postell

Stephanie is the Co-Owner and COO of Anchor Heating and Air and is a lifelong resident of Charleston, South Carolina. Stephanie and her husband David have over 30 years experience in heating and air conditioning.

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Tracy M.
1711535210
I couldn’t be happier with the service provided by Rick from Anchor Heating & Air. From his initial greeting to the time he left after performing maintenance on our 5 units, he was everything you’d want a service provider to be. Not only did he perform the work with care and expertise, he explained what & why I needed to replace a few parts. He included photos he had taken inside my HVAC units to compare with industry standards to show the disparity.He left my home in the same order he found it and assured me he’d return ASAP with new parts. In under a week, the parts are in and I’m scheduled to have them I stalled.I welcome Rick back into my home anytime to continue to service our HVAC units. He is a wonderful asset to Anchor Heating & Air.
Nancy J.
1711461812
Brian has been courteous and pleasant and professional. He has gone above and beyond to give us exceptional service
Joseph P.
1711453954
Jordan was very courteous and conscientious. He spent a lot of time checking and cleaning our systems. He gave us a very thorough update on the status of our heat pumps, including pictures.
Jacqueline D.
1711411967
Anchor is the best HVAC company we’ve interacted with. Family owned with integrity. Dependable and pleasant. Thank you Jordan and team for all you do!
Trevor B.
1711411417
Doug was thorough and professional. Excellent job!
Dj G.
1711402228
Chase was punctual and extremely professional! Walked me through everything he was doing to my system and even advised me of a potential issue with my irrigation backflow setup! Highly recommend Anchor for your HVAC needs! Bonus! I was able to get this appointment the same day!
Jamie S.
1711380668
Rick did our PM service today on 3 units. He did a great job.
Kristi R.
1711375515
Great experience with Ron!
roger S.
1711368256
Claire S.
1711289728
Brandon was excellent. He explained things well and was very personable. I would highly recommend him.
Andrea W.
1711131094
Very impressed with the work our technicians Pat & Haleigh completed at our home today! Our attic is not easy to access so they had a challenge but they made it seem easy! They were quick, professional, polite and it was overall a pleasant experience to have them install our unit! Anchor heating and Air was a great choice for us, and I would definitely recommend them to anyone needing a new system! From the beginning of the process to the end I'm very pleased!
John N.
1710977140
Rick was first class !!
Salvatore P.
1710971818
This is the second time Jordan has performed the maintenance on my AC, super friendly, honest and really knowledgeable, I am not comfortable with anyone doing work at my house, but Jordan I am comfortable with
Ellen W
1710966971
The previous HVAC company I had used for 4 years had become increasingly obnoxious about trying to up sell products and “improvements”. I began to dread their visits. So, I left them and hired Anchor Heating and Air. It was a great decision! I received excellent service and the tech, Ron, didn’t try to sell me anything. He was knowledgeable and friendly, explaining the system to me in ways I could understand. What a welcome change! I highly recommend Anchor Heating and Air.
Joyce F.
1710955359
Brian Hardee did an Awesome job. He seems professional and experienced. The owner and staff in the office was Excellent and extremely helpful to. 👍
Don B.
1710954659
Two visits. Both individuals were polite and courteous. They explained what they were going to do and explained what they found when finished. Excellent work!
Justin J.
1710941644
Can we give 10 stars? lord I wish that was an option!!Story Time!Over the past few months my wife and I have had a few issues with our HVAC system. Not heating. Not cooling. Seemlingy something being off. We have had 2 different companies come out with anchor being our 3rd.1st company stated that all our problems would be fixed if we just get everything brand new! Why? because why not! And also that one day we will need all new duct work.2nd company stated that if we replace our filters more we should have no issues. Well...sounds simple...but too easy.And STILL we had issues. Finally we asked around and was told Anchor is the way to go.So let's start with Rick and Haleigh.within 1 hour they did more work than any of the other 2 companies combined. and in doing so found the issues that were causing us problems. took them a few more hours and BOOM. Consistent heat and air! amazing people and if you are lucky enough to meet them they will certainly treat you right!now let's talk today!Jack and his team arrived to look at our duct work because, see above, we were told how we need ALL new duct work right?within 1.5 hours they found issues that can be fixed without....guess what?..ALL NEW DUCT WORK!I am just blown away right now! no pun intended lolwithin 2 days anchor heating and air has my family for life. I will never tread anywhere else. finally a company that will be transparent, upfront, and solve problems WITH you. not make them up!love these guys and again if I could give 10 stars I would. HIGHLY recommend!
Logan G.
1710879293
The level of experience and professionalism is unmatched to anyone else. 100/100 recommend.
Debbie H.
1710861420
Every aspect of my experience with Anchor has been top-notch!We are pleased with the staff, responsiveness and especially the pricing! Anchor is a company you can trust to do honest work for honest wages.
Ron L.
1710795138
Rick did an excellent job and was very friendly. Unfortunately he was unable to complete the task due to the manufacturer not returning a call he had made to them.
Celia S
1710788815
Came on time. Cleaned up. Pleasant. Very good.
Bill L.
1710787572
Anchor heating and air. Is great. The tech Doug that came was awesome. And the price was very reasonable.
Allison G.
1710783535
Excellent service. Brian was very knowledgeable and explained everything he was checking. Didn’t try to oversell anything but made suggestions on what to keep an eye on and what I might need down the road, plus a cost effective solution that would make sense now. Highly recommend!
Lauren D.
1710757965
Always an excellent experience all around with anchor. Great communication and customer service!
Jennifer B.
1710682469
Fantastic customer service, products, and team members! 100% recommend!
Lynn W.
1710646290
Office staff were great communicators and responded quickly to questions and request for service appointments including texting me when service technician was on the way.The technician was very knowledgeable and summarized the appointment and the repair options thoroughly. The repair (part replacement) was quickly done since he had the part on the truck.I am thoroughly pleased with the level of service from Anchor and the employees I dealt with.
Amy B.
1710638723
The most honest and reliable company. It’s a bonus that they are constantly giving back to the local community. Highly recommend
Erica P.
1710627360
Great people with amazing attention to detail.
Fred Blake S.
1710623449
Anchor is fantastic! We have had plenty of neighbors recommend them and they are still happy with all of their services done in the neighborhood of Village Green!
Paul R.
1710619093
I have worked with the Anchor team in many capacities over the last few years. Both David and Stephanie truly care about their community and go above and beyond to provide great service. They spend a ton of time and energy promoting the trades throughout various organizations in the US, and willingly give their time to the enrichment of other companies. There are not many companies that I would gladly refer to my older parents, but Anchor is one of them. 10/10
Resa B.
1710604113
Excellent service!!
Kathy H.
1710601450
We called Anchor Heating and Air the day before Christmas Eve. What a pleasant experience! We had family coming in and our heating unit was making a noise. We were worried it could stop working. Rick Simmons was available and was at our house within an hour. He was obviously skilled and knowledgeable. He thoroughly checked it out and made sure all was OK. It was just the extra cold weather we were experiencing. Anchor was in constant contact after our initial call letting us know Rick’s experience, telling us about his great customer service and sending tracking info so we would know exactly when to expect him. Rick did a professional job for us and we would not only call on Anchor and Rick Simmons again but we highly recommend if anyone needs help with heating and air service to call them. You wont be disappointed.
K. Sharon B.
1710545252
Great fast service
Chuck S.
1710540257
Very professional, on time, knew the system well and gave a candid assessment of the performance of our system. A satisfied returning customer.
Laura I.
1710539613
This was the first time using Anchor since they acquired Green Dot in the Charleston area. I was super pleased and impressed with their HVAC PM service - from the ease of scheduling, to receiving confirmation, alerts tracking arrival of the technician, the tech service and communication and photos of work done on our equipment. Happy to recommend Anchor Heating and Air
William B.
1710538668
They came and did the job efficiently and cleaned up everything. Would hardly know that they were here except our roof problems are resolved.
Marya B.
1710411184
Anchor heating and air conditioning is always the best experience ever!
Lynn B.
1710333931
Excellent, thorough semiannual service provided by Rick S.
Richard V.
1710283224
Dora W.
1710247032
Our service tech Brian Hardee was super great. Gave us an honest accessment of the issue and provided options. We felt that he was super helpful and sincere. Looking forward to getting a new AC unit soon. Thank you Brian 😊
Candice P.
1710175894
Excellent service. Staff was professional and thorough. Would recommend.
Clarkson M.
1710173016
very thorough and professional!!
Gini B.
1710090681
Dawn R.
1709943230
Excellent service! Patrick and Haleigh were fantastic! Thorough, cleaned up everything, friendly and did a great job!👍
Sean P.
1709938555
Brandon and Adrian were excellent! They communicated the entire time and checked in with us on decisions along the way. Very happy with the results so far 🙌
Katie E.
1709904990
Great service! Rick was super!
Deborah M.
1709817745
Always pleased with Anchor service. Doug Patton was especially helpful in answering any questions we had.
Marlena P.
1709757954
Prompt, Polite & most important Knowkedgeable!
Jerry B.
1709741827
Adrian and Brandon were my techs. They were professional and very neat. They did an awesome job installing a new system and informing me of all details. When they were done they cleaned up like they were never there. Thanks guys!!
Audrey C.
1709681515
We just had our air conditioner yearly cleaning done by Brian Hardee from Anchor Heating and Air Conditioning. He did an excellent job assessing our old unit and cleaning it up nicely. Anchor hires the nicest and thorough people. Very satisfied for 3rd year of service. You hire the best people! Thanks to Brian and Rick!
Jared R.
1709679294
Mike T.
1709676629
Cullen was great! He showed up on time, answered all of my questions, and was very knowledgeable about his job. I'm so glad we signed up for the maintenance program. It gives us a peace of mind going into spring.
Trish M.
1709651575
Our air conditioning stopped working overnight and I placed a call first thing in the morning. A return call and a technician was at our house in a couple of hours. Rick was super polite and explained everything he was doing. Top notch company.
P P.
1709576043
I have lived in Charleston all my life and been through many HVAC companies trying to find one like yours! Ron showed up on time, found the problem and fixed it. All the while, he explained what he did and even took pictures so I could see what he actually did! And I can better explain the whole process to my husband. It was an amazing experience and I appreciate the kindness and professionalism. Keep up the great work and I am excited to have a fabulous company that I can depend on for future service calls.
chrissy C.
1709573082
Service tech Doug is great and very thorough. He is always super friendly, knowledgeable, and trustworthy. I highly recommend this great local company for your HVAC needs!
Henry D.
1709320479
Brandon and Adrian arrived at our house at 8am as promised, and proceeded to install our new heat pump. They worked efficiently, quietly and cleanly and were done by 2pm. In addition, they were personable and friendly and informative. They get five stars from us.
Jim S.
1709145370
Doug did annual service- great job, great update on status … Thanks again Anchor!!!
vonna D.
1709143088
The technicians were very curious, respectful, and gave very detailed information as to what they were doing. Gave me options with the situation I had. I was very impressed.
Carrie T.
1709071597
This company provides exemplary service. The technicians who have done work for me have been excellent!
Patti B.
1709039750
Wonderful, very knowledgeable and they follow thru with what they tell you.
Hank S.
1708957431
Jordan arrived promptly a little bit early, was friendly, professional and careful to avoid tracking dirt in my house, did a thorough A/C checkup, explained the results, and left with minimal interruption to my day. Good value and excellent work.
tom D.
1708912205
Cullen did a great job in troubleshooting our Freon leak issue. Extremely knowledgeable and professional. We have asked that he be our semi annual maintenance check technician going forward.
William G.
1706893236
So glad we hooked up with these guys for our service and repair needs. Fair prices and good honest work. Refreshing to still have that in today's world.
Hank G.
1706706383
Cullen came to our house and did a great job of servicing our equipment. He was knowledgeable, and answered all of our questions very professionally.
Donald H.
1706540963
Jack and Ryan did an excellent job, discovering a few issues we had and conducting a dryer vent cleaning. We are very satisfied with the work they accomplished and the diagnosis of our HVAC issues.
Robert C.
1706535193
Excellent Service… Knowledgable… highly Reccommend
David M.
1706372380
Excellent job following up shoddy work by Green Dot!
Barry S.
1706307116
Very professional.
Carol C.
1705932448
Although I could not be present when my scheduled maintenance was performed I was totally impressed with the service I received. Rick was on time, very polite on the phone, and based on the time he was at my residence I have to say very thorough in the work performed. He called to explain his findings and even provided photos. I look forward to continuing my relationship with your company!
Chris D.
1705893260
Great company, we are using them for our Kiawah rental. They are very responsive and good at keeping us updated on when they are coming out to the house.
Anna
1704554490
This was a great experience using Anchor. They are fabulous! I have been a landlord forever so I appreciate greatly how professional, friendly and on time they were. This was a tricky downtown Charleston installation high up on a roof and they were perfect.
E N.
1704221019
I came home after the holidays to no heat. One call to Anchor and Rick met me at the house that afternoon and had the unit up and running in no time. The entire team was kind, courteous and knowledgeable. A really pleasant experience!
Martin G.
1704140878
Prompt. Polite. Detailed and thorough. .
Nancy W.
1703006716
The best service ever responded right away and very compassionate toward the client. More companies should be like this company
Rick E.
1702983682
Very responsive, thorough and friendly
pabcoaching P.
1701313964
Outstanding workmanship. Dependable, Skilled, Timely, Great Work Ethic.
Shelli V.
1701258131
Cullen was thorough, professional, on time and knowledgeable
Jim C.
1701130896
Called Anchor when 10 year old air conditioner went out. They responded quickly and found the problem. They presented me repair and replacement options. I optied for a new system, and scheduled an installation date. They arrived on time, and quickly installed the new system. I found both Anchor's office staff and technicians to be knowlegable, professional and extremely courteous. I can highly recommend them.
Craig D.
1701102320
I called on Anchor a few times last year and they were always attentive, flexible and professional. I'd say they are my go-to at this point.
jack F.
1701083387
FRENDLY AND VERY THOROUGH SERVICE
Tim P.
1700920568
Anchor Heating and Air's Technician Cullen Rahman was delayed due to high traffic, but call before the appointed time to inform us, which is not usual with other companies.Cullen was polite, knowledgeable and efficient. Even though is was raining, he maintained a very professional attitude and completed the task efficiently.I would highly recommend Anchor Heating and Air for all your HVAC needs.
OJ G.
1700670335
I received excellent service. It is refreshing to find a company that does not recommend unnecessary repairs.
Carrie T.
1700665842
Exceptional service!
Jerry W.
1700660425
If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! You start off with owners who care about their customers, community, and employees. You mix in their employees who take the time to explain everything they're doing and to actually do the job thoroughly without cutting corners. And then, to constantly give back to the community...This is the recipe for success! You can't go wrong with selecting Anchor for all your HVAC needs!
Meredith R.
1700658495
Amazing service, excellent communication once we made our initial call for service, detailed report of everything that needed to be done to fix our problem, service with a smile always and extremely punctual, highly recommended!
Seth D.
1693241450
Cullen Rahman was extraordinary. Highly recommended.Seth
Ericand K.
1692021922
Anchor Heating and Air is the best!! We have a summer home down in the Daniel Island area, and they provide all of the maintenance for our heating and air conditioning system. No matter what time of year it is, our system works great, and their team is such a joy to work with! I highly recommend them for all of your AC maintenance needs.
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