4 Tips to Prep for Air Conditioning Season

Summer may feel like it’s a long time off away. But before you blink, you’ll be moving from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is working regularly to maintain cool temperatures. It’s smart to be ready for the extra usage before temperatures heat up. 

Chief/Bauer Service Experts and our team of Experts can assist you. We’ve created our all-inclusive air conditioning memberships to boost your system’s energy efficiency and dependability. Our professional skill goes a long way, but there are many other steps you can take to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the best ways you can prep for air conditioning season. 

1. Clean Your Air Conditioner

Don’t fret, you won’t have to take apart your system and clean every piece. Our Experts handle this during your yearly air conditioning maintenance appointment. 

But cleaning the space around your air conditioner will go a long way as well. We suggest: 

• Getting rid of twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner. 
• Keeping surrounding grass and plants cut back. 
• Maintaining at minimum 1 foot of free room on all sides around your air conditioner. 

If your air conditioner’s fins get full of dirt or yard refuse, this can affect performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to work harder to deliver the same level of cool air. In severe cases, it may stop working altogether and need air conditioning repair. 

Your comfort and satisfaction matter to us, so we prefer minimizing the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A well-maintained air conditioner usually operates more efficiently, is less likely to need repairs and typically lasts longer. 

2. Change Your Air Filter

Routinely replacing your air filter is critical for your air conditioner’s well-being. During a maintenance visit, our professionals examine filters and replace them if needed. Putting in a new filter is quick and straightforward. You can (and should) do it on your own whenever! 

How frequently you need to get a new filter depends on: 

• The kind of filter you use. 
• If someone in your household has asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems. 

• If you have pets. 

Basic flat filters normally last for 30–60 days. More dense pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you’re not sure if your filter should be replaced, take it out, and hold it up to the light. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it. 

Filters trap dust, pollen and other pollutants from your house’s air, keeping airflow healthy. Forgetting about it will impact your house’s indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s efficiency. 

In some situations a dirty filter could even damage your system or cause it to malfunction. Frequently changing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more balanced. 

If someone in your home has allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems, check with our Experts about how a HEPA filter can relieve symptoms. 

3. Test Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors

Now is a good time to check other important components of your air conditioner and other safety systems. 

If you have a programmable thermostat, check that it’s running like it should. If the batteries are running out, replace them. 

For added control and convenience, think about getting a smart thermostat. They make saving energy simpler. And select models can even tell you if there’s an issue with your air conditioner or if your air filter needs replacing. 

Although they’re not part of your air conditioning system, now is a great time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they’re still good gives peace of mind and an extra layer of safety. 

4. Keep Heat Where it Belongs

One of the smartest ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to reduce the amount of outside heat coming into your house. Using premium window treatments like blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can stop the sun from impacting indoor temperatures. 

Here are several other methods to keep your house cool without adjusting the thermostat: 

• Run ceiling fans when you’re in the room. 
• Turn on your bathroom fan to get rid of heat and humidity when you shower. 

• Keep air vents clean to ensure proper airflow. 
• Install caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows. 

Rely on Chief/Bauer Service Experts for Skilled Air Conditioning Maintenance

Our guide will help your air conditioner cool better this summer. But the smartest way you can boost efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some perks of this service include: 

• Stress-free cooling. 

• Possibly reduced cooling costs. 
• Potentially lengthening your air conditioner’s lifetime. 
• Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty ongoing. 

Make sure your air conditioning is ready for this summer! Call the heating and cooling Experts at Chief/Bauer Service Experts now! Contact us at 217-689-2469 to book your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.