Let’s face it – summers in the Raleigh area can feel like Mother Nature cranked the thermostat to “BROIL” and forgot about it.
Before you find yourself frantically googling “portable kiddie pools for adults” or “how to make an ice vest,” let’s get your air conditioner prepped for battle with these simple steps:
1. Show Your Air Filter Some Love
When your filter is clogged with dust, pet hair, and whatever else is floating around your home, your system has to work twice as hard to breathe – kind of like trying to run a marathon while breathing through a straw. Not fun!
Summers in the Triangle are notorious for high pollen counts, which means your filters may need replacing more frequently than you think – some experts recommend every three weeks during peak pollen season. For general maintenance, plan to check your filter monthly and replace it at least every three months.
A clean filter means:
- Better airflow (hello, cool rooms!)
- Lower energy bills (hello, money for summer fun!)
- Cleaner indoor air (goodbye, sneezing!)
- Less strain on your AC (goodbye, repair bills!)
Plus, it’s probably the easiest maintenance task you can do yourself. If you can change a light bulb, you can change an air filter!
2. Give Your Outdoor Unit Some Space
For optimal performance, trim back any bushes, plants, or other greenery to maintain at least two feet of clearance around all sides of your unit. If you have decorative fencing around your AC unit, aim for at least three feet of space to ensure proper airflow.
While you’re out there, give your unit a gentle cleaning:
- Clear away leaves, twigs, and debris
- Carefully spray down the unit with a garden hose (not a pressure washer!)
- Straighten any bent fins with a fin comb
- Remove any obvious blockages
3. Take Your AC for a Test Drive
Here are some questions for you to determine how your AC is performing:
- Is cool air actually coming out of all vents?
- Are there any strange noises? (Grinding, squealing, and banging are all big no-nos)
- Any unusual smells? (Musty odors could indicate mold; burning smells could signal electrical problems)
- Does your home reach the temperature you set on the thermostat?
If anything seems off, it’s better to find out now rather than during a heatwave when our technicians are booked three weeks out!
4. Call in the Professionals
Our techs can spot potential issues that might not be obvious to homeowners, such as loose electrical connections that can cause system failure over time or capacitors that aren’t ready for the demands of summer.
A professional AC tune-up typically includes:
- Checking refrigerant levels
- Testing electrical components
- Lubricating moving parts
- Cleaning coils
- Calibrating your thermostat
- Inspecting ductwork
- Checking for any developing problems
Think of it as a spa day for your AC – it deserves some professional pampering before its busiest season!
5. Consider an Upgrade If Needed
If your AC unit is getting up there in years (8+ years) or has been about as reliable as a weather forecast, it might be time to consider replacement before you’re stuck without cooling on the hottest day of the year.
A skilled professional can help you determine the correct size AC unit for your home – getting one that’s either too big or too small will result in inefficient energy use and potentially shorter system lifespan.
The Bottom Line: Don’t Wait Until You’re Melting
Taking these simple steps now can help ensure your home remains a cool sanctuary when the outside world feels like the inside of a toaster oven. Plus, proper maintenance extends the life of your system and improves energy efficiency – saving you money in both the short and long term.
At Weather Master, we’ve been helping Raleigh area residents beat the heat for years. We know exactly what your system needs to tackle our unique climate challenges.
Ready to explore your AC replacement options or schedule a professional AC tune-up for your Raleigh area home? Contact us or schedule service on our website!