Preparing Your HVAC for Summer
As the weather warms and you transition from heating to cooling your Pennsylvania home, you’ll turn to your air conditioner for the first time in months. Make sure it’s ready to keep your home comfortable all summer long with these do-it-yourself tips to prepare your HVAC for summer.
Once you complete the steps below, don’t forget to schedule professional AC maintenance. Mattioni Plumbing, Heating & Cooling offers the services you need.
Replace the Air Filter
Get in the habit of checking your filter once a month. Change it when it appears dirty or every 90 days, whichever comes first. Even if this is the only step you take to prepare your HVAC for summer, it could save you up to 15% on your cooling bills.
Keep All Air Registers Open
HVAC systems require proper balance to operate at their peak. If you close too many vents, the airflow becomes uneven, and efficiency may suffer. To prevent this, keep at least 80% of your supply registers open at all times, and make sure rugs, furniture, and curtains don’t block your return vents. To further improve airflow, dust the grilles using a vacuum brush attachment.
Clean the Outdoor Condensing Unit
Half of your air conditioning system sits outside on a concrete slab. You must remove any debris accumulated on this condensing unit to maintain efficient heat exchange throughout the summer. To clean the outdoor condensing unit:
- Switch off the HVAC circuit breaker.
- Gently hose down the metal fins to remove dirt and other debris.
- Straighten any flattened fins with a fin comb.
- Rake away nearby twigs, pine needles, or leaves that could get caught in the condensing unit.
- Trim surrounding bushes until the branches are at least 24 inches from the unit.
- Assess whether the concrete slab is level. If not, prop up the condensing unit with shims until it sits parallel to the ground.
Clean the Indoor Evaporator Coils
The indoor components of your air conditioner, including the evaporator coils, are located near the furnace. Evaporator coils can become dusty over time. If you feel capable, you can attempt to clean the coils yourself. Otherwise, leave this task to an HVAC technician.
- Switch off the HVAC circuit breaker.
- Open the evaporator coil cover and dust the coils with a soft paintbrush.
- Spray the coils with coil cleaner, allowing the product to drip into the drain pan below. Follow the instructions on the label to complete the cleaning process.
- Slowly pour hot water into the drain pan to make sure the drain line flows freely. If water backs up into the pan, hire a professional to clean the drain.
Schedule Professional AC Maintenance
While the above tips are an effective way to prepare your HVAC for summer, DIY maintenance isn’t enough. Scheduling a professional tune-up every spring is also important to help your air conditioner run at its peak all summer long. During a visit from Mattioni Plumbing, Heating & Cooling, you can expect our technician to:
- Check all system elements
- Clean furnace and AC components
- Check and replace the air filter
- Clean the fan motor
- Tighten electrical connections
- Lubricate moving parts
- Test the operating cycle
- And much more
Get the most from heating and cooling maintenance with a Mattioni VIP Membership. In addition to twice-a-year HVAC service visits, members enjoy:
- One in-home plumbing inspection per year
- 15% off flat-rate services
- 30% off select HVAC repairs
- Dispatch fee discount
- Extended warranties
- Priority service
- And more!
To schedule AC maintenance in Chester Country or sign up for a VIP Membership, please call the Mattioni Team or contact us online today.
