Are you ready for the summer heatwaves? For any veteran Upstate New Yorker, the arrival of summer’s sweltering heatwaves feels more like an impending siege than a sunny celebration.
When that familiar humid purgatory starts licking at your doorstep, you’d better pray your home’s air conditioning arsenal is primed and ready to battle back relentlessly. From Buffalo’s blazing lake breezes all the way to Albany’s sizzling city concrete, having a frosty fortress of cooling might be your only salvation!
Let’s make sure your A/C is ready to keep you cool all summer long.
1. Schedule a Professional Inspection
Why struggle with complex diagnostics yourself when you can call in a certified HVAC expert for a thorough inspection? These professional check-ups are crucial for spotting potential issues before summer’s heat hits hard.
Imagine a hidden refrigerant leak slowly draining your air conditioner’s cooling power. A professional inspection will catch that problem early. Or maybe dust buildup is clogging your system and reducing airflow. An expert can spot these issues that most homeowners miss.
An HVAC professional doesn’t just look; they use advanced tools to check every part of your system. They analyze combustion emissions, indoor air quality, airflow rates, and electrical measurements. It’s a deep dive into your system’s health.
Inspection reports do more than highlight repairs. They show ways to optimize energy efficiency, extend your system’s life, and maximize comfort. With professional insights, your A/C will be ready to tackle summer’s heat without a hitch.
2. Clean or Replace the Air Filter
Don’t neglect your air filters. Ignoring them can slowly strangle your air conditioner until it gives out. Filters are the first line of defense, keeping dust and debris from reaching vital parts like coils, compressors, and blowers. When they get clogged, it’s trouble.
A dirty filter restricts airflow, making your A/C work harder and use more electricity. Worse, it can lead to equipment breakdowns, leaving you sweltering in the summer heat.
Before summer hits, check your filters. Remove and inspect them for dust, pet hair, and discoloration. If they look dirty, replace them. Some filters can be cleaned and reused, so give them a rinse or a vacuum if that’s the case.
Most filters last 3-6 months, but with heavy summer use, you might need to replace them more often. A fresh filter keeps your system running smoothly and your air clean, helping you stay cool all season long.
3. Clean the Condenser Coils
Condenser coils are crucial for your air conditioner’s performance. They release the heat your A/C absorbs from your home. If they’re dirty, they can’t do their job well.
When coils get covered in dirt, gunk, lint, or debris, they can’t release heat efficiently. Your A/C works harder, cools less effectively, and your utility bills go up.
Before summer, make sure to clean your condenser coils. Use compressed air, an eco-friendly degreaser, or a vacuum to get rid of the buildup. This helps the coils do their job and keeps your A/C running efficiently.
Some homeowners take on this cleaning themselves, but many prefer to call in the pros to avoid damage and ensure every part is thoroughly cleaned. Keeping your coils clean helps your system run smoothly and keeps your home cool when the temperatures rise.
4. Check the Thermostat Settings
Cranking your thermostat way down when the summer heat hits might seem like a good idea, but it can actually sabotage your A/C’s efficiency. Your thermostat is the command center of your HVAC system, setting temperature targets, humidity levels, and cooling cycles.
To get ready for summer, you need to program your thermostat smartly. Set schedules based on when you’re home and away to save energy. Make sure you’re not cooling empty rooms—focus on the spaces you use most.
Modern smart thermostats offer even more features like remote access using apps, filter change alerts, and energy tracking. By setting your thermostat correctly from the start, you ensure your A/C runs efficiently and keeps your home comfortable all summer long.
5. Clear Debris Around the Outdoor Unit
After you’ve put in all that work getting the inside of your A/C system ready for summer, don’t forget about the outdoor unit. Neglecting it could undo all your efforts.
First, trim back any overgrown bushes, trees, or shrubs around the unit. Anything within a foot or two should be cut back. This helps keep airflow right and prevents critters from making a home there.
Next, clear any leaves, dirt, or lawn clippings from around the unit and on the unit. These can get sucked into the system and mess with the coils. Make sure the airflow channels and drainage paths are clean.
Finally, keep the area around the bottom of the unit clear. Make sure it’s at least around six inches, especially if you have issues with mud or lawn equipment. This will ensure your A/C has the breathing room it needs to keep your home cool.
6. Inspect the Ductwork
Your cooling system’s ductwork is like the unsung hero of home comfort. It’s easy to forget about, but if those airways aren’t up to scratch, even the best A/C unit will struggle.
First off, pop off a few supply registers and return grilles to peek inside. You’re looking for anything that might block airflow—dust, debris, even signs of critters. If you spot any rodent droppings or chewed insulation, you’ve got a problem that needs fixing ASAP.
Next, check for any cracks or disconnected joints in the ducts. Leaky ducts mean your cool air is escaping before it can do its job, plus they can lead to moisture problems and mold. Grab a flashlight and inspect those seams carefully.
Even from the outside, you can spot issues. Look for ducts that have come loose at the corners or registers. These disconnects mess with your system’s efficiency. Pros have tools like blower door testers and duct blasters to measure leaks. If there’s significant leakage, sealing solutions like aeroseal can work wonders.
By taking the time to inspect and repair your ductwork, you’re ensuring your A/C can deliver top-notch cooling all summer. Don’t leave this critical component to chance!
7. Test the System
They say no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy unscathed. Well, when it comes to preparing your home’s cooling command for summer’s inevitable heat blitzes, you simply can’t leave anything to chance. That’s why pressure-testing the entire system under real combat conditions proves such a vital preparedness exercise!
Once all those preventative maintenance protocols like condenser coil cleanings and filter replacements wrap up, smart field marshals initiate full operational tests with thermostats cranked into cooling mode. From the interior air handler down to those exterior compressor slugfests, you’ll want confirming eyes and ears evaluating every component for anomalies.
Listen for any strange clanking or grinding noises that could signal issues. Check exposed motors and compressors for vibrations or misaligned housings. Use your hands to detect any sections running hotter than expected. Technicians often rely on laser thermometers and combustion analyzers for precise measurements.
No system test is complete without thoroughly monitoring refrigerant line pressures and the temperature differentials between indoor and outdoor air throughout the entire cooling cycle. Out-of-spec readings often reveal inefficiencies like undercharges or overcharges that need fixing. Only after these rigorous assessments can you confidently face summer’s heatwaves!
8. Check and Clean the Vents
All the meticulous prep work—updating filters, disinfecting coil arrays, and pressure-testing—goes down the drain if your air conditioner’s main air circulation routes are clogged. Ensuring that supply and return vents maintain robust airflow is a key part of any summer readiness plan.
First off, inspect every vent grill and register in your home. Household dust bunnies, pet hair, and gunk buildups can wreak havoc on smooth ventilation. Use your vacuum’s crevice attachments and compressed air dusters to dislodge any debris that’s choking air dispersion at the source.
Secondhand smoke and aerosol sprays like furniture polish are notorious vent contaminants, forming stubborn gunk over time. Spot clean with vent brushes and mild detergent solutions to decontaminate. For crusty grates, a soak might be necessary to break down the filth.
Don’t overlook the return vents either! These crucial intake points let recirculating air flow freely back into your air conditioner. Clear matted debris, rearrange room layouts to preserve vent clearances, and make sure no furniture restricts their vacuum effect.
With clean, unobstructed ventilation, you’re optimizing every cubic foot of cooled air circulation for a chill summer ahead!
9. Ensure Proper Insulation
Modern air conditioning systems are marvels of efficiency and precision, but even the most advanced units struggle if your space is poorly insulated. To keep your home cool and energy-efficient, making sure your insulation is up to par is essential.
Start by examining the insulation in your external walls, ceilings, and attic spaces. Look for compressed sections where the insulation has been flattened, which reduces its effectiveness. Repair any damaged areas, especially those that have deteriorated due to moisture. Pay special attention to drafty spots like window frames and baseboard heating elements.
Windows play a significant role in your insulation audit. If you’re still using single-pane or poorly insulated models, they’re practically sieves for summer heat. Consider upgrading to double or triple-glazed windows or those with Low-E coating to create a strong thermal barrier that minimizes cooling demands.
Don’t forget the lower levels of your home. Crawlspaces and basements without sufficient floor and wall insulation can absorb heat from the surrounding soil, radiating it inward and compromising your cooling efforts. Sealing these areas can help maintain a consistent indoor temperature.
From the ceiling to the foundation, fortifying your home’s insulation ensures that every BTU your air conditioner produces is used efficiently. That’s energy-efficient preparation that pays off!
10. Plan for Regular Maintenance
Even with the best summer prep, your cooling system can start to wear down under constant use. To keep everything running smoothly, plan for regular maintenance during those hot months!
HVAC experts suggest scheduling a full-system cleaning and inspection at least once midway through the summer. The first step is clearing out dust and debris that block airflow. Then, technicians will check all parts like condenser coils, evaporator coils, blowers, compressors, control boards, and electrical connections for any signs of wear that might need fixing.
These AC tune-ups don’t just improve efficiency and extend your system’s life—they also help catch small problems before they turn into big, expensive ones. Finding issues like refrigerant leaks or parts about to fail can prevent major breakdowns. Regular maintenance means less downtime!
If you have a smart home HVAC system, these check-ups are even more important. Technicians can adjust settings, recalibrate sensors, reconnect wireless integrations, and fine-tune automated features based on your home’s needs.
No matter what kind of cooling system you have, regular expert maintenance keeps it running at its best. Don’t let your guard down halfway through the season!
Keep Your Cool with Reimer
Prepping your air conditioner for summer isn’t just a chore—it’s a smart move to ensure your comfort and peace of mind. Cleaning those vents, insulating properly, and scheduling regular maintenance aren’t just tasks—they’re investments in a hassle-free, cool summer.
Reimer has been Upstate New York’s trusted home service provider since 1921. We’ve built a reputation for honesty, dedication, and friendly service. From HVAC and plumbing to indoor air quality, our certified professionals are ready to help.
Don’t leave your comfort to chance. Trust Reimer to keep your home cool and running smoothly. Call us today at (716) 272-2371 to schedule your maintenance or learn more about our services. With Reimer, you’re in good hands, day or night.
