preparing your air conditioning unit for summer use

If your air conditioning system isn't ready to face the intense heat of summer, you could spend more time sweating than feeling cool and comfortable. Your AC could also break down this summer if you push it beyond its capabilities. Here are tips to operate your AC smoothly and efficiently this upcoming season.

Dust Your Thermostat 

Your thermostat is perhaps the most essential part of your air conditioning system. As the control center of your cooling system, your thermostat tells your AC system when to come on and when to turn off. If your thermostat isn't able to sense the temperature in your home, it can instruct your AC to run continuously. 

One of the things that can potentially cause problems with your thermostat is dust. If your thermostat relies on a mercury bulb to sense heat, dust can cover the bulb and keep it from communicating with your air conditioner. You can solve this problem by dusting your thermostat regularly, or you can simply replace the thermostat with a digital or smart device. These types of thermostats rely on electronic readings instead of mercury.

If you already use a digital or smart thermostat in your home, check its batteries to see if they're still fresh. Also, inspect the thermostat's screen for cracks and other issues. If you detect a problem with the thermostat, replace it. 

You can also keep your AC running better this summer by having it serviced. 

Service Your Cooling System

Like your car or truck, your air conditioning system requires professional maintenance to stay operational. An HVAC technician can check your indoor and outdoor units for low refrigerant, debris buildup, and physical damage. If your cooling units are low on refrigerant, they can overheat in the summer. In addition, debris and physical damage can prevent your indoor and outdoor units from moving heat from the home. 

An HVAC contractor may also check your indoor unit's drainage system, including the condensate line and pan. The drainage system can clog up with algae, mold, and other gunk, even when the unit is not in use. Water dripping from the evaporator coil can't enter the condensate line if its clogged. If water soaks into the tile or wooden floor around the unit, it can eventually rot. 

A technician may repair any issues they diagnose or find with your cooling units. If you decide to wait on the repairs, they could become worse during the summer. You may want to have the work completed as soon as possible to avoid complications with your air conditioner. 

If you have any questions about your cooling system, contact air conditioning services, like Environmental  Matters HVAC LLC, to give you more information about keeping your AC running smoothly.