4 Hints to Prep for Air Conditioning Season

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

Strand Brothers 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 reliability. Our professional skill goes a long way, but there are a lot of other things you can do to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the best ways you can prepare for air conditioning season. 

1. Clean Your Air Conditioner

Don’t fret, you won’t have to disassemble 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 clogged with dirt or yard refuse, this can affect performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to run more often to provide the same level of comfort. In bad cases, it may stop cooling altogether and need air conditioning repair. 

Your comfort and satisfaction matter to us, so we prefer minimizing the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A well-maintained air conditioner usually operates more efficiently, is less likely to malfunction and usually lasts longer. 

2. Change Your Air Filter

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

How frequently you need to replace your filter depends on: 

• The kind of filter you use. 
• If someone in your house has asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems. 

• If you have pets. 

Basic flat filters usually last for 30–60 days. More dense pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you’re not sure if your filter should be replaced, take it out, and tilt it toward the light. Put in a new one if you can’t see light through it. 

Filters catch dust, pollen and other pollutants from your house’s air, keeping airflow healthy. Disregarding 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 malfunction. Often replacing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more level. 

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. Inspect Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors

Now is the perfect time to check other important parts of your air conditioner and other safety systems. 

If you use a programmable thermostat, ensure that it’s working like it should. If the batteries are running out, change them. 

For added control and convenience, think over installing a smart thermostat. They make conserving energy simpler. And a few models can even notify 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 good time to test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they’re still good gives peace of mind and an added layer of security. 

4. Keep Heat Outside

One of the smartest ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to decrease the amount of outside heat coming into your house. Using quality window treatments such as blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can stop the sun from impacting interior temperatures. 

Here are a couple other methods to keep your house chilly without lowering the thermostat: 

• Use ceiling fans when you’re in the room. 
• Turn on your bathroom fan to eliminate 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 Strand Brothers Service Experts for Experienced Air Conditioning Maintenance

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

• Stress-free cooling. 

• Possibly cheaper cooling costs. 
• Likely lengthening your air conditioner’s life span. 
• Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty ongoing. 

Make sure your air conditioning is ready for this summer! Get in touch with the heating and cooling Experts at Strand Brothers Service Experts now! Reach us at 512-592-3072 to book your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.