How To Prepare Your Cooling System for Summer

As the seasons change and the weather warms in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, it’s important for homeowners to prepare their air conditioning systems to ensure they’re capable of keeping up with the increased demand. While routine maintenance is essential, there are plenty of DIY maintenance tasks that families should perform as well to ensure their systems remain fully functional on the hottest days of the year.

In this blog post, the cooling experts at SOS Xtreme Comfort offer key insights on how to prepare your air conditioner for the summer season so you can maintain consistent comfort throughout your home, no matter how high the temperature climbs.

How To Prepare Your AC for Summer

With the summer season on the horizon, now is a great time to optimize your air conditioner for reliable performance on the hottest days of the year. Here are a few ways you can make sure your AC system is up to the task of keeping you cool and comfortable all summer long:

Clean Your Outdoor AC Unit

Many air conditioners come equipped with outdoor condenser units. During the winter season, it’s common for outdoor units to become bogged down by leaves, twigs, and other debris that may have accumulated around the system during the offseason. Leaving this accumulation around your system can restrict airflow, leading to reduced efficiency and higher cooling costs for your home.

To combat these issues, be sure to perform a visual inspection of your outdoor unit before the summer season hits. If you notice any debris, clear it away and give your outdoor unit a thorough wipe-down to ensure there are no obstructions that can hinder your system’s performance.

Replace Your AC Air Filter

One of the most important aspects of AC maintenance is adhering to a filter replacement schedule. Even though your system might not have been in use during the winter, dust, pet dander, and other debris may still become trapped inside your system’s air filter. Clogged air filters are one of the leading causes of air conditioning malfunctions and can cause your system to work harder than necessary to satisfy your comfort demands.

At the start of each cooling season, be sure to clean or replace your air filter. Additionally, it’s recommended that you continue to clean or replace your air filter at regular intervals (usually once every 90 days; however, you may need to do this more frequently if you suffer allergies, have pets, or live with infants or elderly family members).

Consider a Thermostat Upgrade

As homeowners seek out ways to enhance system efficiency and reduce cooling costs during the summer season, one way they can achieve both is by considering a thermostat upgrade. Switching to a smart or programmable thermostat can help optimize your system for maximum efficiency as you create cooling schedules based on your specific comfort preferences and when you are most active in the home. As a result, you’ll enjoy lower utility bills.

Not only can programmable and smart Wi-Fi thermostats enhance energy efficiency, but by creating a schedule for your cooling needs, you can reduce the strain on your AC system, helping extend its lifespan.

Schedule an AC Tune-Up

The best way to prepare your air conditioner for the sweltering summer heat is by scheduling an annual tune-up. A professional maintenance inspection can help enhance energy efficiency, extend your system lifespan, improve overall performance, and protect your manufacturer’s warranty. It’s recommended that you schedule an air conditioning tune-up at least once annually, preferably during the end of winter or early spring, to beat the seasonal rush.

Request Your AC Tune-Up Today!

If it’s been longer than one year since your last AC tune-up, don’t hesitate to contact SOS Xtreme Comfort to book your maintenance visit. With nearly 100 years of dedicated service to the New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania region, we are uniquely capable of optimizing your cooling equipment to enjoy maximum comfort throughout the summer season.

Book your AC maintenance appointment today by calling (973) 827-8179 in NJ, 507-618-8055 in PA, or (845) 351-4700 in NY to schedule service with our expert team!