July 7, 2021
Of course we all love sunshine here in the East Bay, but too much of a good thing can become a sweaty problem for homeowners when the summer heat becomes too much to take throughout Alameda, Marin, and Contra Costa counties. And wouldn’t you know it — the days when the heat is at its peak is when your air conditioner is likely to succumb to years of wear and tear, leaving you in a stuffy, unbearably hot home.
Here is what you need to know about keeping your AC unit not just operational, but happily purring away, keeping your home comfortable, and your cooling bills low.
Step 1: Inspect Your AC Unit
Your air conditioner is about to emerge from a short hibernation after letting your heating equipment take the spotlight. Giving it a visual inspection is a good idea when it comes to preparing for summer. Wind and rain often move landscaping debris and even garbage into the space around your outside compressor, which can cause damage to your system, prevent efficient operation, and even make some unpleasant noises for your neighbors once you turn on the system.
As for the inside, dust and dirt can build up on the interior components of your AC as well. Clean your AC as best you can (given the accessibility of the unit) and leave some of the more complicated cleaning and diagnosing to the experts. More on this later!
Step 2: Check Your Air Filters
A central air conditioning system handles most (if not all) of the air you breathe in your home, and the air filter is your first line of defense against dirty, unhealthy air.
Air filters can become clogged over time, which will reduce their filtration capability and affect the overall efficiency of your cooling system. Leaving your air filters unchanged will exacerbate existing issues with your air conditioner, increasing the likelihood of your AC leaving you stranded on a hot summer’s day. This is why it is recommended to change your air filter(s) at least once for year , or according to manufacturer specifications — We recommend checking the loading of your filter(s) as the seasons change!
Step 3: Clean Your Air Vents
Speaking of dust buildup, take a gander at your AC vents: has dust settled on the vent grates? Give them a good cleaning, but take note of how dusty your vents are. This can indicate that your ductwork is leaky or poorly designed, or that your AC filters are failing to remove contaminants from your air.
Step 4: Schedule AC Maintenance Before the Summer Rush
Perhaps the most important thing you can do to ensure that your air conditioner will offer reliable comfort this summer is to schedule regular HVAC maintenance. Maintenance with the team at Hassler gives us a chance to take a look under the hood, lubricate parts, tighten the bolts, and assess the overall mechanical health of your system.
The minor tweaks and optimizations we do during the average maintenance call are aimed at preventing the need for future AC repairs, while gaining back any lost efficiency when it comes to your cooling equipment.
By signing up for a VIP service agreement with the home comfort experts at Hassler, we will visit your home once or twice a year at your convenience and confirm the following:
Inspect cooling coil (if accessible)
Clean or replace filter(s)
Inspect condenser coil
Lubricate all moving parts
Verify air flow
Measure temperature difference
Measure all volts and amps
Test all safety controls
Tighten all electrical connections
Inspect heat exchanger
