How to Prepare Your Cooling System for Summer
April 17, 2024
Spring and summer weather here in the Sacramento and Stockton area can be unpredictable. With outside temperatures already reaching as high as the mid80s, many homeowners have already had to use their cooling systems! Has your air conditioner or heat pump had annual maintenance yet?
At Brower Mechanical, we can’t stress the importance of preventative maintenance for your heating & cooling systems enough. Forgetting an annual tune-up can leave a long list of benefits on the table —many of which address the very comfort and cost issues that homeowners run into the remainder of the year!
Since 1979, we’ve been the go-to HVAC experts in Sacramento County—here’s our DIY heat pump and air conditioner maintenance checklist for summer.
☑️ Clean or Replace Air Filters
All of the air inside your home is handled by your heating and cooling system, and keeping that air clear of contaminants with an air filter is extremely important. Air filters are designed to capture dust, pollen, mold spores, and many other pollutants before they get distributed throughout your home. However, as debris accumulates on an air filter it not only becomes less effective, but it can impact your air conditioner efficiency too!
In general, air filters should be changed or cleaned every 30-90 days, depending on manufacturer specifications. If filters are left too dirty you risk a drop in your indoor air quality, problems with overworking the motor, and many other AC repair needs. At Brower Mechanical, we offer several high-performance HVAC air filters and can discuss your options to help you find the right choice for your needs.
☑️ Inspect & Clear Debris Outside
Your outdoor heating and cooling equipment has been left exposed to the elements over the winter months and has likely become cluttered with debris. Before turning on your cooling system for the first time, it’s a good idea to take a spring cleaning walkabout and inspect any outdoor units. We recommend clearing one to two feet of space around your compressor and removing any branches, trash, or landscaping debris.
☑️ Turn Your Cooling System On for a Test Run
It is a good idea to give your air conditioner or heat pump a chance to “warm up” before you really need it to cool you off. This provides an opportunity to notice anything out of the ordinary before it turns into a bigger problem and costly AC repairs down the road when you need your cooling system most.
Switch your thermostat to “cool” mode, and wait a few minutes for your air conditioner to turn on. Feel your air vents for cool air, and then listen for strange noises from your AC. Sounds that may mean you need to call for professional repair services include:
Loud banging
Clicking
Excessive whirring
Loud humming
☑️ Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance with Brower Mechanical
The best way to make sure your cooling system is ready for the summer is with a professional tune-up. With a more thorough inspection from the HVAC maintenance and repair technicians at Brower, you can count on the following benefits:
A more comfortable home in the summer
Reduced cooling costs
Longer AC life expectancy
Reduced risk of an AC breakdown
For ultimate peace of mind, you can enroll your system in a Brower Mechanical Maintenance Agreement. We’ll automatically schedule your annual AC tune-up for you so you’ll never have to worry about forgetting this essential service again and keep your cooling system running efficiently for years to come.
