4 Hints to Prep for Air Conditioning Season

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

Neal Harris 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 running altogether and need air conditioning repair. 

Your comfort and satisfaction are important to us, so we want to minimize the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A well-maintained air conditioner usually runs more efficiently, is less likely to malfunction and typically lasts longer. 

2. Replace Your Air Filter

Routinely replacing your air filter is critical for your air conditioner’s well-being. During a maintenance visit, our pros check filters and put in new ones if required. Putting in a new filter is quick and simple. You can (and should) do it on your own whenever! 

How frequently you need to install 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 usually last for 30–60 days. Thicker pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you don’t know if your filter should be replaced, pull 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. Neglecting 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 break down. Frequently putting in a new one will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more consistent. 

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

3. Check Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors

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

If you use a programmable thermostat, make sure that it’s running right. If the batteries are running out, change them. 

For added control and convenience, consider getting a smart thermostat. They make conserving energy simpler. And a few models can even alert 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 still have juice gives peace of mind and an added layer of safety. 

4. Keep Heat Outdoors

One of the wisest ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to minimize the concentration 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 your home’s temperatures. 

Here are several other approaches to keep your house chilly without adjusting the thermostat: 

• Run ceiling fans when you’re in the room. 
• Run your bathroom fan to remove heat and humidity when you shower. 

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

Rely on Neal Harris Service Experts for Skilled Air Conditioning Maintenance

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

• Stress-free cooling. 

• Possibly lower cooling costs. 
• Likely increasing your air conditioner’s lifetime. 
• Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid. 

Make sure your air conditioning is ready for this summer! Contact the heating and cooling Experts at Neal Harris Service Experts now! Reach us at 816-787-0500 to book your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.