Pre-Season A/C To Do List

Written on: April 25, 2022

Some Important Steps to Prep Your AC

New England was hit with a particularly harsh winter this year, and now spring is finally here! As things start to warm up, now is a good time to think ahead to the summer and make sure your AC is ready to handle even the hottest of days ahead.

If your AC is more than 15 years old, now is a good time to replace it. Old ACs can have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating as low as 6. Modern units have a SEER rating of 15 or higher. That difference adds up to hundreds of dollars spent or saved on your cooling bills during just one season. A low SEER rating also means you won’t have reliable cooling on those days when you need it most.

Important AC Prep

Before you turn on your central air conditioner for the first time this year, do the following to make sure it’s ready to keep you and your family cool all summer long:

1. Check the thermostat. Your thermostat is essentially the brain of your HVAC system. If it’s not working properly, nothing else will either. This is a good time to replace the batteries. And if you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, now is also a good time to install one. Programmable thermostats are a simple and cost-effective ways to manage your summer cooling bills.
2. Check your vents. Makes sure your vents are free and clear of anything (e.g., drapes, curtains, furniture, etc.) that could stop cool air from entering your living spaces.
3. Check your ductwork. If you have a duct leak, up to 15% of the air you pay good money to cool could be getting lost between the walls of your home. Seal up any obvious leaks and fix out-of-place duct joints in exposed ductwork areas. If your cooling system is more than 5 years old, it may be a good idea to invest in professional duct sealing. Some leaks are either too small to see or are out of sight and behind walls.
4. Clear the drain line. If your drain line is blocked, water could get diverted back into your home or toward your foundation. Make sure your drain line is free of debris.
5. Check your AC filter. A blocked air filter reduces efficiency, and a chronically blocked AC filter could cause your cooling system to conk out. Starting now and throughout the hot months, make a habit of checking your air filter at least once a month. Replace it (or clean it if you have a model that can be cleaned) as needed.
6. Check your electrical lines. Wiring problems could cause you to lose power to your AC. Check all electrical connections and circuit breakers now.
7. Clean the outdoor condenser unit. Check for debris like leaves, twigs, and nests. Your condenser unit should never be covered when it is in use. There needs to be adequate airflow throughout the entire home cooling system chain.

Once you start using your AC, keep an eye out for signs of a refrigerant leak. Without sufficient refrigerant, your unit won’t be able to generate cold air. Signs of a refrigerant leak include poor cooling, ice on the evaporator coils, and fluid spots near your AC condenser.

Professional AC Maintenance

The absolute best way to prepare your air conditioning unit for the hot weather ahead is to have it inspected and serviced by a home cooling expert. Lombardi Energy & Gas offers an Air Conditioning Service Plan that includes preventative maintenance and discounts for service visits. During your maintenance visit, a certified technician will take care of the steps listed above, replace worn parts, lubricate your system, and ensure that your home cooling equipment is operating optimally so you can count on it all summer long.

Lombardi Energy & Gas Delivers Comfort

From delivering heating oil and natural gas to providing HVAC service, Lombardi Energy & Gas is proud to deliver comfort to our customers in Amesbury, Byfield, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury, Seabrook, West Newbury, and surrounding areas. Click here to see if we serve your Massachusetts or New Hampshire neighborhood.

Contact us today for reliable, friendly service.