Prepping My Air Conditioner for Spring

With the winter months behind us, the time has come to start thinking about how to prep your HVAC unit for spring. Many people don’t use their air conditioning during the cooler months. If it’s been a while since you have fired it up, you might be wondering how to best prepare for the hotter months ahead.

Keep in mind that most air conditioning work requires professional service, and you should not try to handle anything that involves electricity or other dangerous elements. Leave that work for the service professionals.

Why Should I Prep My AC for Spring?

Your air conditioner is a complex piece of machinery that has a lot of moving parts. Any time a mechanical device sits without being used for an entire season, there’s a chance for those moving parts to freeze up and become stuck.

Dust, moisture, and other materials in the air can build up in the mechanisms of your AC and potentially cause damage when it is turned on. To ensure this doesn’t happen, here are several steps you must properly perform to prepare your HVAC unit for spring.

Safety First

Before you do any of the following, turn off the power both at the unit and circuit breaker. Failure to do so could result in injury or damage to your HVAC unit. If you do not feel comfortable with any of these steps, contact a service professional.

Inspect and Clean the Filter

One of the most important things you can do to maintain your air conditioner is to pull out and inspect the air filter. The air filter sits in front of the fan intake and catches any dust or dirt that would otherwise be sucked into the motor.

Depending on the environment and the weather, air filters can be very susceptible to build-up, which can cause air circulation issues. To alleviate these issues, pull out the filter. You can use your AC’s owner’s manual to locate the filter. Once removed, clean it with soap and water. Be sure to dry the filter completely before replacing it in the unit.

If your air conditioner has a 4-6" disposable filter, replace it at least once a year to ensure its effectiveness throughout the high-use months. Smaller filters must be checked monthly and replaced no less than quarterly.

Clean the Outdoor Condenser

The coil of your air conditioner’s condensing unit sits on the outside of your home and will attract dirt, leaves, and other debris during the winter. When this debris gets caught in the condensing unit’s metal fins, it can interfere with the heat exchange and reduce the effectiveness of the entire air conditioner.

To prepare your HVAC unit for spring, take time to hose down the outdoor section of the unit to ensure that it’s clear and ready to go. A clean coil allows for efficient heat transfer, helping your AC run smoothly and keeping your home cool as temperatures rise. Ensure that any water in or around your AC unit has fully dried before turning the power back on.

Clear the Area Around the Outdoor Unit

Beyond simply hosing down the condenser, a thorough spring cleaning involves ensuring ample clearance around the unit. Overgrown shrubs, tall grasses, or even stored items such as trash cans can significantly obstruct airflow. You must have at least a two-foot clear radius around the entire unit to allow for optimal air circulation, which is important for efficient heat exchange.

Additionally, inspect the top of the unit for any accumulated debris such as fallen leaves, twigs, or even small bird nests. These can block the fan and hinder the unit's ability to disperse heat effectively. Removing these obstructions ensures your AC can "breathe" properly, leading to improved performance and lower energy bills.

Inspect and Clear Drain Lines

The condensate drain line is a vital component often overlooked, but it can cause significant issues if neglected. This PVC pipe, typically found near your indoor unit, carries away the moisture (condensate) that your AC removes from the air. Over time, algae, mold, and other debris can accumulate, leading to clogs.

A clogged drain line can cause water to back up, potentially overflowing the drain pan and resulting in costly water damage to your ceiling, walls, or flooring. To prevent this, locate the drain line, which often has a T-shaped vent with a cap. Remove the cap and pour a cup of distilled white vinegar down the line. This helps inhibit growth and clear minor blockages.

Check Your Thermostat Settings (and Batteries)

Before turning the power back on and starting up your AC, double-check your thermostat settings. Ensure it's switched to "Cool" and, for energy efficiency, set the fan to "Auto." This means the fan only runs when the cooling cycle is active, saving electricity.

If your thermostat uses batteries, now's the time to replace them. Weak batteries can cause erratic behavior when you prepare your HVAC unit for spring.

For programmable or smart thermostats, leverage their features! Setting a schedule can automatically adjust temperatures when you're away or asleep, optimizing comfort and significantly reducing energy consumption without you having to lift a finger.

Run a Test Cycle

Before you start to run your air conditioner regularly, complete a test cycle and check to make sure that everything’s in good working order.

Pay careful attention to whether the AC is making any unusual noises or leaking any fluids. You can also check to make sure it’s effectively cooling your entire home and that there’s no loss of power due to clogging or freezing.

After your test is finished, there may still be things you won’t be able to check yourself, so it is important you note anything out of the ordinary and report those items to an HVAC professional.

Get a Professional AC Tune-Up

Routine HVAC tune-ups and maintenance are necessary. Hiring an HVAC professional is your best option to ensure safety and proper functionality.

A service professional can inspect things you might not be able to check to perform more complicated procedures to ensure your air conditioner is in top shape for spring. A professional HVAC specialist will do things such as reinforce electrical connections, check the fluid lines for leaks, flush the condensing unit, and lubricate the fans and motor.

To get this comprehensive yearly maintenance done, schedule a tune-up and inspection appointment with your local Aire Serv^®. We have the knowledge and professional aptitude to keep your air conditioner running smoothly all throughout the hottest months of the year, backed by our Neighborly Done Right Promise^®, which ensures we get the job done right the first time.

This article is intended for general informational purposes only and may not be applicable to every situation. You are responsible for determining the proper course of action for your home and property. Aire Serv is not responsible for any damages that occur as a result of this blog content or your actions. For the most accurate guidance, contact the Aire Serv location nearest you for a comprehensive, on-site assessment.