It is important to check your system now because you can potentially catch any problems or needed maintenance before starting your A/C unit on the first hot day of the summer. Waiting until the weather gets warmer before you go turn on your air conditioner could result in a few days of discomfort while you wait for a service technician to become available to make repairs.

There are also some simple steps that we recommend you take before starting your air conditioner:

Indoors:

  • Make sure your thermostat is set to the cooling mode because just lowering the temperature will not activate the air conditioner if it is still set in heat mode.
  • Take a look at the registers around your home, and remove any items that could block airflow, such as furniture, toys, or drapes.
  • Check the drain line. This is located in the basement by your furnace, and it is important not have debris clogging the drain line, or any items sitting on top of it.
  • Change your air filter regularly. Dirty filters can restrict air flow, reduce efficiency, and in some cases can even cause your evaporator to freeze up.
  • Make sure that the power is “on” to your furnace and air conditioning system.

Outdoors:

  • Check that there are no obstructions around the exterior of the air conditioner, and that it is not covered because the unit needs to be able to pull air from outside in order to cool your home.