Skip to main content
24/7 Emergency Service Available 310-810-2721

How To Prepare Your AC Unit for Summer

May 16, 2023

As you start to prepare your home for summer, you’ll find various essential tasks to keep you busy. However, they all pay off when you can enjoy warm weather with peace of mind. When checking items off of your to-do list, you should also prepare your AC unit, the most vital appliance for the summer, so you can enjoy season-wide comfort, cool temperatures, and cleaner air.

At Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning, we see many Los Angeles property owners not preparing their air conditioners for summer and paying the price later. Why spend time fixing a broken air conditioner on a scorching summer day when you can stay cool and enjoy the weather? Follow these simple steps and schedule a tune-up appointment to preserve your air conditioner for many more years of use.

Clear the Area Around Your Outdoor AC Unit

The outdoor condensing unit is exposed to all weather conditions, which means debris can pile up and affect unit efficiency! Before constant use of your air conditioner this summer, we recommend removing accessible debris such as tree limbs, grass clippings, trash, plants, and other items from on and around your unit. If your outdoor air conditioner is in any area with rich greenery and plants, it may not have the space it needs. You should keep two feet of space around the system clear so trees and plants don’t hinder operation.

It is beneficial for your air conditioner’s airflow and efficiency to maintain a clean outdoor unit, which is why our technicians recommend removing debris weekly. If plants or debris are on or around your unit, it could cause the unit to overwork itself and result in costly repairs or an AC breakdown in Los Angeles.

Make Thermostat Adjustments

Your thermostat is an important component of your air conditioning system, and it should be properly prepared for summer as well! Ensure your thermostat is set to “Auto” and reads “Cooling” mode for the best comfort and utility bill results. Many homeowners are curious how to lower utility bills in the summer throughout Los Angeles, and it starts with your thermostat! The closer your thermostat is to the outdoor temperature, the more you will save monthly. However, we would never suggest sacrificing your home comfort this summer. One of the best solutions to keeping an efficient air conditioning system and saving money is installing a smart thermostat!

Smart thermostats monitor your temperature preferences over time and adjust the thermostat setting to not only match your needs, but save money and energy as well. Additionally, altering the thermostat can give your air conditioner a much needed break from cooling your home at low temperatures. We recommend adjusting your thermostat whenever you leave your home or go to sleep, but this task can be hard to remember when rushing out the door or getting cozy at night. Smart thermostats can be controlled on your mobile device or pre-programmed to lower the temperature at a specific time!

Change Your Air Filters

Maintaining clean air filters is an essential home task, because it determines indoor air quality, energy usage, airflow, and home comfort. Air filters catch pollutants and debris before cool air is distributed throughout your home. If the filter is clogged, more allergens can pass through and harm your home’s indoor air quality. Additionally, air conditioners must use more energy to push air through a clogged filter. Not only will dirty filters cause uncomfortable allergy symptoms, but decrease your air conditioner’s efficiency and raise utility bills. The more energy your unit uses, the more likely it is to become overworked and break down in the middle of a hot L.A. summer.

We recommend changing your AC filter in Los Angeles at least every 3 months, but more often depending on certain factors like indoor animals.

Schedule Professional AC Maintenance

Before we get too deep into the summer season, remember to schedule air conditioning maintenance in Los Angeles to keep your AC unit running efficiently and effectively! Air conditioning maintenance is a preventative service performed by Brody Pennell’s well-trained technicians. We aim to catch underlying malfunctions affecting efficiency, broken components needing repair, and obstructions that would lead to repair or breakdowns in the future. AC maintenance helps avoid an uncomfortable situation this summer in the L.A. heat!

During AC maintenance, our technicians will clear the condensate drain, verify electrical components are working correctly, and replace any broken pieces. We’ll also test that your air conditioner and thermostat match up and your home isn’t reaching too-high humidity levels. The preventative service allows our technicians to perform maintenance tasks homeowners are not always capable of doing, such as checking and adding refrigerant, which is a toxic substance.

Maintenance helps you save money and prevents repairs or an early replacement. Other ways you can save money on cooling costs this summer include periodically using ceiling fans.

Benefits of Preparing Your AC Unit for the Summer Season

If you’ve never done it before, you may wonder why you should prepare your AC unit for the summer. Is this truly a beneficial set of steps to take? Our Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning team has worked on hundreds of HVAC systems since 1945 and recommends preparing your unit because:

  • You’ll save money on each summer energy bill with a more efficient system.
  • You’ll feel reassured that you’re ready for the upcoming warmer weather.
  • You decrease your chances that your air conditioner will suddenly stop working.
  • You can increase the lifespan of your air conditioner by giving it the proper care.

Overall, you’re protecting your investment by maintaining your air conditioner. There are certain levels of maintenance you need to complete before the winter and summer seasons, and they pay off in the long run. Our team can advise you on further tips to keep your air conditioner in top shape.

Contact Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning in Los Angeles, CA

Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is one of the best HVAC companies in Los Angeles, CA, and the surrounding areas. If you take the time to prepare your AC unit for summer, you’ll reap many benefits and enjoy a high-quality system. Our skilled staff is happy to help with those steps. We provide AC repair in Los Angeles, CA, along with maintenance, replacement, and ductless systems. Whatever you require to enjoy comfortable indoor air in the summer, our team can help. Call us at (424) 341-0508, or book a service appointment through our website.


About The Author

Brody Pennell

Since 1945, Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning is the committed to helping homeowners in the greater Los Angeles area experience total home comfort. In 2021, the readers of the Los Angeles Times voted Brody Pennell the Best HVAC Company in the area.

Request Service

Please fill out the form below to request an estimate or schedule service.

"*" indicates required fields

By clicking “Send Message”, I am providing express written consent to receive autodialed and pre-recorded calls, texts, and SMS/MMS with marketing communications from Brody Pennell regarding home services at the phone number provided above, even if the number is on a corporate, state, or national Do Not Call list. Consent is not a condition to purchase services or products.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Google logo with 4.9 star rating
Facebook logo with 4.9 star rating
Yelp Logo with 4.8 star rating
Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback and the 5-star rating! It means a lot to us.
Response from the owner:We're delighted you had a great experience with us. Thanks for the 5-star review!
I can always trust on Brody Pennell for all my AC and heating needs. Very professional, on-time and responsive. The technician Giovanna Consuegra, was very diligent, courteous, and very knowledgeable inspecting and maintaining our AC unit and insuring is ready for the summer heat.
Response from the owner:We're so grateful for your kind words, Jorge! It's wonderful to hear about your positive experience with our technician Nicholas. Thank you for trusting us with your AC and heating needs during such a crucial time. Your satisfaction is our top priority!
Alberto M was an amazing technician, he answered all of my questions and was able to accommodate every request!
Brody Pennell replaced the old heating and cooling system in my condo. The service was professional and excellent from the initial bid to the day of installation. Mike and his team arrived on time, were extremely patient with my questions and knowledgeable about the product. The work was done neatly and efficiently in less time than predicted and the installed system works perfectly.
I highly recommend Brody Pennell.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! Your satisfaction is our top priority.
Had really good experience!
Response from the owner:We appreciate your 5-star rating! It's wonderful to know we met your expectations.
David a technician from Brody-Pennell arrived for the inspection of
our Heat/Air units (2) and demonstrated not only by his greeting and dress, but by his patient thorough examination of both units.

He answered all questions concerning both of our Heat/Air units
with clarity, which resulted in our deciding to purchase 1 new
Heat/Air unit and repair of our second unit.

Our new Heat/Air unit was installed the next day; which was
very fast and we consider our money well-spent!!!!
We recommend Brody-Pennell Heat/Air, because of the
Professional Excellence that was demonstrated by their
team of service people for our home.
Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback and the 5-star rating! It means a lot to us.
Misael was kind, and very knowledgeable. He was very respectful not to track dirt inside, and took the time to explain how the HVAC works and ways to improve its function. Definitely a 5-star job!
Response from the owner:Your 5-star review made our day! Thanks for choosing us.
Our Technician Giocanni came in and got right to work he was friendly polite and very clean. He took time to make sure he put on shoe covers to make sure he didn't track any dirt on to our carpets. He diagnosed the problem and told us in plain simple language what was the problem and what it would entail to fix it. I was extremely happy with their service
Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback and the 5-star rating! It means a lot to us.
Great Service.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the high praise! We're glad you enjoyed our service.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the 5-star rating, Jose!
Chris was very polite and professional
Response from the owner:Your satisfaction is our reward. Thank you for the 5-star review!
Got here fast! In depth analysis, quick solution — work scheduled. Gio was very professional and courteous. Worked well with his supervisor. So far, great company!
Response from the owner:Your satisfaction is our reward. Thank you for the 5-star review!
Ruben showed up on time and fully prepared to do the job. He explained what he was doing and what the problem was. He fee was reasonable and I would highly recommend.
Response from the owner:Your 5-star review made our day! Thanks for choosing us.
Response from the owner:We're delighted you had a great experience with us. Thanks for the 5-star review!
This place is one of the rare gems that lead with honesty and simplicity. I called and spoke with many HVAC servicing companies, and Brody Pennell Heating & AC was patient to read through my inspection report and speak to me about my situation. We scheduled an appointment, and they had 2 servicemen who came on time, were friendly, and taught me alot about my HVAC system and what's needed next. I would highly recommend them. There was no pushy salesman tactics at all
Response from the owner:Thank you for the high praise! We're glad you enjoyed our service.
Kevin was great. Polite and neat. All is well.
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing Jason, Hilton, and Leo! We appreciate your kind words.
Giovanni is a 5 star technician.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, June! We're glad to hear that Anthony and David provided you with a great experience.
David E. was great! Excellent service, came right on time. Much appreciated all his work.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about Anthony! We're glad to hear that he provided excellent service and arrived on time. We appreciate your recognition of his hard work!
John was very courteous friendly and informative. Above and beyond service thank you .
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Daniel! It was a pleasure assisting you.
Justin was great!
Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words, Michael!
Response from the owner:We're delighted you had a great experience with us. Thanks for the 5-star review!
Anthony, the service technician for Brody Pennell, arrived on time, was very careful and thorough in evaluating our system. He explained what was working and what wasn't working efficiently or with some risk of major problems. I recommend Brody Pennell who have dedicated employees that they send out to your home not someone on contract. I was pleasantly surprised when Anthony said someone from another department could come by the same day to talk with us about replacement options. We really wanted things working before the hot weather gets here. David was there in minutes and was able to have a crew start the next day, and they could finish in 2 to 3 days with removal of old unit and installation of a new system. I have high expectations for the installation crew to be just as professional as Anthony and David from Brody Pennell.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the perfect rating! We're pleased to know you had a great experience.
Kevin was great! Personable, thorough and solved my issue!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words, Karen! We're glad to hear you had a great experience with Kevin and Ariel. Hope to see you again soon!
Justin does everything he is required to and more. All with a positive attitude. I am very satisfied with Brody Pennell service for my HVAC system.
Response from the owner:We are so glad to hear it! Thank you for your review!
Great Service! Thank you
Response from the owner:We're delighted you had a great experience with us. Thanks for the 5-star review!
Alberto M. and Habacuc AT

5 stars They were on time and did a great job. Tested system. Inquired with senior tech. Communicated well. Ordered part.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the fantastic review! We're happy to have served you well.
James is an excellent employee. He is very knowledgeable and personable. He was able to diagnose the problem and fix it. I had the upmost confidence in his abilities. Thank you for sending him to us.

Richie Salazar is an excellent employee. He knows his craft and is very conscientious. Richie is very personable and it was pleasure to have him at our house. Thank you for sending him to us. Daniel P. is another excellent employee. He knows his craft and is very businesslike. I had utmost confidence in his abilities. Thank you
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words about James and Richie. We truly appreciate your feedback and are glad to hear that they provided you with excellent service.
Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback and the 5-star rating! It means a lot to us.
Great company. Yesterday Kevin Lopez determined we needed a condensate pump. He returned today with Juan Carbajal and David Escamilla and in a little more than an hour the new pump was installed and working perfectly. They are a friendly and knowledgeable trio who kept us informed and answered all of our questions.

I am so happy that we have stayed with Brody. This past week our AC went out. The service people from Brody have been warning us that this was going to happen so it was not unexpected. Mike I. and his team (Raul I. And Alexander V.) came to do the installation and we could not have been more pleased with their work and the final product. It was a very complex job but they completed it in a day. They explained everything they were doing and were neat and efficient. They were friendly and answered all of our questions. This is a truly great team of knowledgeable workers and deserve to be commended.
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us! We're glad to hear that Kevin, Juan, and David provided friendly and knowledgeable service, keeping you informed throughout the process.
Justin Usi was great!
Response from the owner:Thanks for the fantastic review! We're happy to have served you well.
The tech was very respectful and pleasant. Did a thorough inspection of the systems and did the required maintenance. All in all good service. Changed the motor. Allis fine.
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing our tech's respectful and pleasant service, and for appreciating the thorough inspection and maintenance. We're glad you had a positive experience!
Misael to do the repairs that were needed on our AC and heating unit.
He was prompt, courteous, and spend time answering my many questions to make sure I understood. I have a semi annual maintenance plan with Brody p PennellT
and will definitel knew it
John M was terrific, very patient listening to my issues, operative variety of solutions. Totally competent. Very clear in his explanations as to what was needed in the house. I would absolutely want to deal with him again.
Response from the owner:Thanks for the fantastic review! We're happy to have served you well.
Clear and informative, if sadly to tell us that our hundred year old floor furnace had met its end at last.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the perfect rating! We're pleased to know you had a great experience.
Alejandro Amaro did a fantastic job today. We are very happy with his great work.
Response from the owner:Hi Ryan! We appreciate the review and are glad we could be of service!
Technician John M. from Brody Pennell performed a scheduled inspection of our heating and air conditioning unit. He was extremely knowledgeable and conducted a thorough and excellent assessment. His professionalism and friendly demeanor made the experience seamless. John took the time to explain his recommendations clearly, offering valuable advice on improving and extending the life of our unit. Overall, I highly recommend his service to others.
Response from the owner:Your 5-star review made our day! Thanks for choosing us.
Great service!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the perfect rating! We're pleased to know you had a great experience.
Kevin came yesterday and today to service our heat and install an Air Scrubber! He did an awesome job. Super nice and very informed. Thanks for sending a great guy to our house.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind review! Your satisfaction is our top priority.
Alberto and Justin checked out my relatively new package unit. Thankfully they had checked the history of the unit and our home, so they knew what to expect. It was great to hear this. They clearly explained what was found, showed pictures, and presented options for a concern they found. No problems with the unit and installed a new high rated filter. Thanks guys and Pennell for hiring knowledgeable pros.
Response from the owner:We appreciate your feedback and the 5-star rating! It means a lot to us.
Very professional and very knowledgeable.
Response from the owner:We're delighted you had a great experience with us. Thanks for the 5-star review!
John was knowledgeable, friendly and able to diagnose the problem quickly. Would recommend!
Response from the owner:Thank you for the high praise! We're glad you enjoyed our service.
Luke is smart and thorough and entirely trustworthy. He did a terrific job for us.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the high praise! We're glad you enjoyed our service.
Service was amazing. She was very professional and efficient. She had great recommendations to keep our AC/ furnace running smooth.
Response from the owner:Your satisfaction is our reward. Thank you for the 5-star review!
John was great!
Response from the owner:Your satisfaction is our reward. Thank you for the 5-star review!
Anthony Contreras did a thorough and professional job for me today. I appreciate his knowledge as well as his fine work ethic. Pamela James
Response from the owner:Thank you for recognizing our team's efforts! We appreciate your kind words and are delighted that we could assist you effectively.
Giovanny Q and David Ocampo were great. Giovanny provided great service. He was very thorough in checking my system and provided great explanations of recommended work. Brody Pennell has the best technicians. I trust the work will be done right. Ask for Giovanny if you need service, you will be in good hands. Also, David was great in providing options for a new system, he did not try to oversell but provide what was needed for my square footage and usage. Fully recommend Brody Pennell, great company with great work technicians.
Response from the owner:We are so grateful for your kind words about Jose! Thank you for trusting us with your HVAC needs.
Ivan Diaz provided the service and was professional and went above and beyond.
Response from the owner:We're delighted you had a great experience with us. Thanks for the 5-star review!
js_loader

Schedule Service

"*" indicates required fields

By clicking “Send Message”, I am providing express written consent to receive autodialed and pre-recorded calls, texts, and SMS/MMS with marketing communications from Brody Pennell regarding home services at the phone number provided above, even if the number is on a corporate, state, or national Do Not Call list. Consent is not a condition to purchase services or products.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.