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It’s a homeowner’s nightmare scenario: That first warm day of spring arrives and you consider turning on your home’s air conditioner for the first time since last summer or early fall.

But when you adjust the thermostat, you hear an awful buzzing or banging noise. Or worse – nothing at all.

This is exactly why spring AC maintenance is critical. With a regular inspection ahead of hotter temperatures, you can avoid the headaches of a potentially pricey repair bill and an uncomfortably warm home.

Don’t let this happen to you. Contact Comfortec Heating, Cooling and Plumbing today. Our team of highly trained, local professionals will inspect your air conditioner unit, identify any issues and have it operating efficiently in no time.

Ahead of an inspection, there are a few steps homeowners can take themselves to make sure their AC unit is ready for the season. We’ve put together a helpful checklist of these simple tasks you can do yourself or have a professional come to your home to address.

Why your AC needs a spring inspection

Before we discuss the checklist, let’s first go over why regular maintenance and inspections by trained professionals are so important.

• Efficiency and energy savings: Regular AC maintenance prevents the unit from losing up to 5% efficiency per year it goes unserviced. Maintenance leads to lower utility bills.
• Prevent costly repairs in the summer: Air conditioner repairs can cost hundreds, sometimes as much as $750. An inspection will cost $75 to $200.
• Extend the life of the unit: AC units that go unmaintained could see lifespans reduced by up to 50%.
• Improve indoor air quality: An efficient, maintained AC unit provides cleaner, healthier air for you and your family.

Though the checklist below provides tips you can accomplish yourself for maintaining your AC unit, the benefits above are really only achieved by having a professional inspection.

Now, onto your guide to spring AC maintenance.

Safety first

First, an important disclaimer about safety. The tips below are generally safe to undertake, but not without taking the proper precautions.

Whenever working around an air conditioner, always disconnect power to the unit at your home’s breaker box. This will ensure you do not place yourself at risk of electric shock.

Additionally, be sure to wear protective gloves and eye protection. This safety gear will help keep you protected from sharp and moving objects.

1. Clear debris

An air conditioner needs clear space to operate as efficiently as possible. Snow and winds from winter may have left behind debris that needs to be cleared from around the outside and inside of the unit.

Over time, bushes and shrubs may get too close to the unit. These plants provide beautiful landscaping, but don’t need to be encroaching too close to the AC. As vegetation wakes up from spring, trim them away so they are at least a couple of feet away from the unit.

2. Clean the condenser coils

The coils on the outdoor condenser will often be dirty following winter, especially if the unit is not covered during its off-season.

Luckily, you can use a broom or brush to carefully clean up any dirt that may be on the condenser or its coils.

3. Inspect the fan

Take a close look at the outdoor unit’s fan and remove any debris that may have found its way inside the unit. Objects in the fan’s way while operating may cause damage.

4. Check the condensate drain line

A properly working cooling system will send condensation through a condensation drain line that either sends the water outside near the outdoor unit or indoors via plumbing.

Either way, check the drain line for cracks or damage and have it replaced to avoid damage to your home.

5. Inspect the insulation on refrigerant lines

In the same manner, check the refrigerant lines and the insulation around the lines for damage, cracks or any signs of leaks.

While replacing insulation may be a suitable DIY task, anything more requires the attention of a professional.

6. Change the air filter

Changing your HVAC system’s air filter is a must, as this is what helps the entire system run cleanly – providing dust-free air for your home – and more efficiently.

A clogged or dirty air filter can lower the efficiency of your home’s cooling system. Leaving a dirty filter unchanged over time could lead to damage requiring costly repairs.

We recommend checking the air filter every thirty days for dust and dirt buildup. Replace as needed.

7. Check the blower motor

If you’re able, remove the front plate from the furnace so you can check the blower fan and motor. This way, you can vacuum away any dirt that may have accumulated around the system.

Please note that we do not recommend you undertaking any repairs to the blower fan or motor yourself. That’s best left to trained technicians.

8. Check the drain pan

Opening up the system will also allow you to check the drain pan. If you notice any cracks in the pan, then condensation will likely build up and leak out of the unit – or drip onto parts and cause a system failure.

Any cracks or damage to the drain pan are clear signs a professional is needed.

Does your AC need an inspection now?

After you’ve completed the DIY cleaning checklist, restore power to the AC unit and head to the thermostat to turn it on.

If you notice any of the following common signs of an issue, then it’s time to schedule an inspection right away:

• No air flow or no cold air coming from vents
• Rattling, screeching, hissing, gurgling or any other strange noises
• Home is cooling unevenly
• Leaking from either the outdoor unit or HVAC system inside
• Energy bills are unexpectedly higher while AC runs

Any of the above signs are common for air conditioners that have gone without maintenance or are at the end of their lifespan.

Schedule a service call with Comfortec Heating, Cooling and Plumbing today to diagnose or prevent issues with your AC and keep your family cool and comfortable this summer.