How To Prepare Your AC Unit for Summer

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.