AC maintenance is crucial in Tampa, FL, where the average high temperature in July is 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Preparing your system in early spring ensures it can handle the scorching hot days. Creating a maintenance checklist with our team at Ahoy! Cooling & Heating can help you stay organized. You will be able to complete everything necessary to get your AC in optimal shape.
Schedule a Professional HVAC Inspection
Booking a professional HVAC inspection should be at the top of your spring maintenance checklist. This allows HVAC technicians to assess the condition of your system. During the appointment, we perform a variety of tasks, including cleaning interior components, lubricating moving parts, and calibrating your thermostat.
A comprehensive assessment enables our team to identify minor problems before they develop into severe, costly issues. When we complete our inspection, we’ll let you know if your system needs repairs or a replacement. Before scheduling your appointment, make sure to ask us about our maintenance membership.
Schedule Repairs
If we determine that your AC needs repairs, it’s vital to schedule them promptly. This ensures that your system is ready to keep you cool and comfortable whenever hot temperatures arrive. Refrigerant leaks, electrical issues, and thermostat malfunctions are among the most common problems your system may experience, especially as it ages.
It might be tempting to try to fix problems yourself to save money. However, a DIY attempt can result in significant issues if you don’t have professional HVAC training. For example, you may inadvertently injure yourself or further damage the system. Additionally, you might void the manufacturer’s warranty, requiring you to pay for future repairs out of pocket. Many coverage providers have terms that state only professional HVAC technicians can perform repairs.
Create a Self-Inspection Schedule and Checklist
Professional HVAC inspections should be conducted twice per year, once in the spring and again in the fall. This leaves a lot of time in between where your system still needs attention.
At the beginning of the spring season, create a routine self-inspection schedule and checklist. It should include several important tasks, such as making sure that furniture, rugs, and other items aren’t blocking vents. Other items to add to the list include checking the outdoor condenser and inspecting the unit for physical damage. We recommend performing these inspections at least once a month. If you notice any potential issues, contact us immediately so that we can identify the cause.
Change or Clean Your Air Filter
Depending on the type of cooling system you use, you need to either clean or change your air filter. Keeping up with this task is particularly important if you have pets, kids, or seniors in the home.
If your unit has a reusable filter, clean it at least every few weeks. Turn off the unit, remove the filter carefully, then wash it gently in water to remove accumulated debris. Let it dry completely before you put it back in. You should replace a disposable filter in your AC every 30 to 90 days. However, it’s ideal to sit more often, especially if you or someone else in the home has allergies or respiratory conditions. To replace the filter, start by turning the system off at the electrical panel. Gently pull the filter out, noting its positioning. Place the new filter in the same way and turn the system back on.
Clear the Outdoor Condenser
Air conditioning maintenance in Tampa isn’t complete without inspecting and clearing the outdoor condenser unit. It needs several feet of space on all sides. There should be nothing on or near it that can restrict airflow.
Remove any outdoor items or furniture that’s too close to the condenser. You should also clear away any plants, grass, dead leaves, branches, and debris.
If you don’t already have a cage or fence around the outdoor condenser, it’s a good idea to have one installed. This can help keep debris away from the unit year-round, especially if you have mature trees nearby. This protective perimeter can also keep pets at a safe distance. Pet fur and urine can severely damage the condenser.
Book a Landscaper Appointment
If you prefer not to clear away plant matter yourself, schedule an appointment with a landscaper to do it for you. It’s also beneficial to book an appointment with an arborist if you have heavy branches hanging over your AC condenser. If they’re weak, they’re prone to the unit during a heavy storm, which can cause significant damage. An arborist can check any branches and determine if they’re putting themselves at risk. If they recommend cutting them down, it’s best to do so promptly.
Seal Leaks Around Doors and Windows
Gaps around your doors and windows can let warm air in and conditioned air out during spring and summer. This can create hot and cold spots in your home, resulting in an uncomfortable environment.
Additionally, this could cause your AC to work harder than necessary to meet your preferred temperature. When it operates inefficiently and uses extra energy, your monthly bills will likely increase. This constant strain can also shorten your system’s lifespan, which is typically 10 to 20 years.
Use gap filler and weatherstripping to fix problem areas. Put draft blockers under doors. Applying an insulating window film on the glass is also a smart idea. It reflects sunlight, helping keep your home cooler.
Clear Dust Off Your Vents
Cleaning dust off your vents is a helpful step to get your air conditioner ready for spring, especially if buildup is visible. Clean vents allow for unobstructed airflow, which can encourage your system to operate more efficiently. It may also help you save money on cooling costs.
Improved indoor air quality is another benefit. Conditioned air won’t push pollen, pet dander, and other contaminants off your vents and throughout your living space. While your HVAC filter captures many particles, keeping vents clean limits the amount of surface dust that circulates through your home.
Perform a Deep Cleaning of Your Home
Doing thorough spring cleaning can help support your HVAC system and improve indoor air quality. Reducing dust and debris in your home can slow the rate at which your air filter becomes clogged. This helps maintain proper airflow, encourages comfortable temperatures, and improves system performance. It can also reduce strain on your unit.
Make sure to clean commonly overlooked areas where dust tends to accumulate, such as your ceiling fan blades. Other areas include your upholstered furniture, carpeting, rugs, curtains, and the tops of cabinets.
Start preparing your AC system now with a maintenance appointment to be ready for a hot summer. Ahoy! Cooling & Heating in Tampa performs AC repairs, inspections, and other solutions to get your air conditioning system in excellent condition. Call us now at Ahoy! Cooling & Heating.
