Spring and summer are just around the corner. When it comes time turn on your air conditioner you want to make sure that there are not any problems with the unit. Please use this article as a general checklist before and after turning on your unit. Doing so will help ensure that air conditioner runs seamlessly all season. It will also help to address common issues before an expert HVAC technician is called.
Air conditioner checklist
- Check your air filter: We all know that Salt Lake City’s air is getting worse and worse each winter. Your air filter has been cleaning the air in your home and has more than likely been working overtime to filter out pollutants in the dirty air. Before you turn on your air conditioner it is highly recommended that you check your air filter and replace it if it is dirty.
- Check your breakers and thermostat: Even if there is nothing wrong with your actual air conditioning unit, there might be something wrong with either your breaker or thermostat. Starting with the thermostat make sure that you have working batteries in the unit, and that all the settings like time and temperature are all correct for your air conditioner. You will also want to give your breakers a once over. Sometimes a high voltage breaker can trip and cause the unit to stop working. Make sure that none of your breakers have tripped and if they have to flip them back over if everything else is in order your air conditioner should kick back on and stay on.
- Look and listen to your outdoor unit. When your air conditioner is running you should be able to hear operating noises from the actual unit. You should also be able to hear and see the internal fan of your condenser moving. Much like your air filter, it is a great idea to make sure that the outside of your condenser is clean so that you can get proper airflow to the unit. If it does look dirty you can always clean the outside of the unit with a damp rag or by gently running the hose over the outside of the unit to wash away dirt and debris.
- Check for warning signs that you cannot fix on your own. As an HVAC company, we have always stood behind the recommendation that you have yearly maintenance performed on your air conditioner and furnace alike. At the end of the day, these units are going to need an expert to service them no matter how well you have taken care of them. As the unit is running make sure you are inspecting for leaks, check over your coils and drain lines. Any sign of frost or freezing usually means that you have some leaking refrigerant and you run the risk of overheating.
Call an expert with any questions
We can usually give you an idea of what is going on over the phone. Remember that ignored concerns can lead to larger problems in the future. As our way of helping we offer free estimates so it doesn’t cost you anything to call Plumbing Utah at 801-601-1298 today.
