Spring AC Maintenance Checklist

Essential Spring AC Maintenance Tips

Springtime is an important time for air conditioning system maintenance.

  • The furnace equipment is now dormant until it is called up in late fall, that is, unless your system uses a heat pump. Heat pumps use the same equipment for heating and cooling.
  • During the early spring, the temperatures are mild, so air conditioning equipment is relatively idle, an ideal time for air conditioning maintenance.
  • When the temperatures begin to soar, the calls for repairs and replacement of air conditioning systems rise as well. Springtime is an ideal time for scheduling a maintenance call with your HVAC professional.

In the meantime, here are some maintenance steps you can take on your own.

Change the Air Filter

Pollen is at its highest during the early spring; trees, flowers, flowering trees, and grass are all releasing pollen at the same time. The pollen count is enough to trigger sinus problems with or without allergies. A springtime air filter change can help everyone breathe easier. The filter should be changed at least every three months, more frequently if necessary.

Air filters work tirelessly to clean the air, removing pollen, dust, dander, and more. However, when the trapped particles completely cover the filter, it begins to restrict proper airflow. The very best air conditioning technology cannot function properly without adequate airflow.

Clean the Condenser

The outdoor portion of the air conditioner is called the condenser unit. The walls appear to be solid, but the walls are actually a network of tubes, designed to allow considerable airflow between. A central fan pulls air through the tubes, but it also pulls pollen, dust, and all kinds of debris. Pollen is sticky. It sticks to the tubes and fins, and the pollen tends to collect anything other small particles it encounters.

Cleaning the pollen and debris from the condenser is an easy DIY project. Remove the screws around the cover of the condenser and use a garden hose to gently wash away the collected particles. Wash the tubes until the water flows clear, then replace the covers.

Should the pollen and dust continue to coat the condenser, this makes the air conditioner work MUCH harder and it can lead to some serious repair bills. This is a simple task that can be completed with a few tools and a little bit of time.

Change Batteries

The thermostat is the ON/OFF switch for your air conditioner. It is a very small computer with sensors and switches that control a whole, complicated building system. This small computer is powered by common household batteries, and the batteries need to be changed. Matter of fact, there are several small sensors/switches in the home that run on batteries, including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Find a time in the spring and change all of your batteries at once.

Schedule Professional AC Maintenance

These are DIY tasks that can be completed by a homeowner. There are plenty of air conditioner maintenance tasks that need to be completed but cannot be completed by a homeowner. They take special equipment and the training to use it properly. Professional technicians test and clean:

  • The refrigerant level
  • Electrical controls and switches, some with high-voltage 
  • Functional performance of the air conditioner

Springtime is an excellent time to schedule AC maintenance.

Don’t Wait for the Heat: Spring is Key for AC Maintenance

All Cool AC & Heating AC maintenance professionals can assist with your HVAC repair and AC maintenance needs. Schedule your service appointment by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified AC maintenance technicians put their experience to work for you.