Nashua, NH has a reputation for humid and warm summers. Air conditioning makes a major difference in riding out the dog days of summer. Consequently, preparing your system right now for the days to come is important. Here is how to get your air conditioning system ready for this region’s summer.
Air Filter Replacement
Different types of air filters for AC units operate on different replacement schedules. The standard one-inch filter, usually made of either fiberglass or thin, pleated material, requires replacement once every 90 days. In some environments, especially households with lots of pets or smokers, the replacement frequency might be closer to once every 30 days.
Heavier filters, particularly HEPA filters, usually fall into less frequent replacement schedules. Once every 6-12 months is common.
The good news is that these schedules can sync up nicely. You can plan around seasonal air filter replacements that line up on multiples of three. This makes remembering to do the replacement significantly easier, since it becomes a once-every-three-months task. Filter replacement is an excellent DIY task, even for people who aren’t experienced in HVAC work.
Even if your system’s air filter doesn’t look like it requires a replacement, consider doing it before summer arrives. This ensures that the AC system will be running at peak efficiency and performance before temperatures reach their highest point.
Clean the Area Around the Condenser Unit
Your air conditioner’s condenser unit, the large external component, releases heat into the air outside your home. The condenser requires airflow to breathe well enough to stay ice-free. Otherwise, it accumulates outside cold that encourages new water to freeze to the system.
The rule of thumb in the industry is that a condenser should have at least two feet of space around it. You need to make sure everything is gone from that zone. There should be no:
- Bushes or trees
- Other equipment
- Vehicles or bicycles
- Lawn furniture
Winter often deposits lots of debris in the vicinity, too. Look for sticks, leaves, and even dirt. Clear these items from the two-foot zone. Also, check the condenser itself for any debris that might have gotten trapped or attached to the unit or its housing.
Clean the Condensate Line
The condensate line is a system that takes extracted humidity from the air and sends it on its way, usually through a home’s sewer system. Lots of debris can accumulate inside a condensate line, and a long winter gives some of it time to grow. Mold and algae can develop in condensate systems, leaving behind gunk that clogs drainage.
There are available products for cleaning condensate lines. This makes the process excellent for DIY maintenance. It normally involves treating the line with a chemical that inhibits growth. If you’re uncomfortable with cleaning the condensate line, you can ask one of our technicians to handle the job.
You can also relax knowing that our shop is a Lennox Premier Dealer and a Mitsubishi Premier Dealer.
Basic AC Testing
When a mild-to-warm spring day hits for the first time, fire up the AC system and see how it does. Set the thermostat at least five degrees below zero just to give the system a good 15-20-minute run.
Note the basic facts about its performance. Does it seem to actually cool, or is it blowing hot air? Are there any weird noises? Is the airflow running consistently to each room?
Our technicians often run other tests on AC units, such as checking refrigerant lines for proper pressurization. This reduces the risk of unusual cycle times that wear out the equipment faster than expected. A check now also minimizes the odds that something unexpected will happen down the road. If the system is never catching up to the target temperature, you don’t want to discover that during the first week of operation.
Even a simple test run can surface problems that would be worrisome to encounter over the summer. If there’s a problem like a blown capacitor or a dying blower motor, you’ll notice it by seeing whether the system runs at all and how much air it puts out.
This is also the time to perform a bunch of simple tests and possible repairs. We can then determine whether it would be worth it to perform repairs or to get a new system.
Check Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant powers the basic processes of air conditioning. If the refrigerant level falls, that could be a sign of a leak in the system. Also, newer AC systems employ advanced technologies, including newer refrigerants that are replacing the old ones quickly. If the system struggles to cool or never reaches the target temperature, then there’s a good chance it’s a refrigerant issue.
It’s important to note that homeowners and other unlicensed people should never recharge an air conditioner’s refrigerant system. Our technicians have the training and tools needed to safely work with refrigerant. We also can confirm where leaks are and perform effective AC repairs.
Checking the Thermostat
The thermostat is a deceptively simple part of your AC setup. However, it might be dead due to a lack of batteries. Likewise, its calibration can drift several degrees out of spec, even over a single year. Battery replacement is a superb DIY project, and many homeowners replace batteries every spring just to stay ahead of the coming summer weather.
If the system is out of spec, our technicians can sample its performance and make changes. Thermostats can drift several degrees off-target, but our technicians know how to calibrate them properly.
Open and Clear Vents
One of the simplest tricks is to make sure the vents are open and cleared. Even something as simple as a nearby curtain can inhibit the system’s airflow. Furniture and rugs are also common culprits.
Even if you had the vents set properly last year, check them now. Vents drift out of spec. Likewise, they can get sticky from non-use and corrosion.
Put your trust in a locally-owned and operated business, Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc.. We have been regularly named a Best of Nashua, too. With more than 30 years in operation, our company has a strong reputation. We average 4.9 stars across more than 4,200 Google reviews.
When you have questions, we have answers from certified and factory-trained HVAC technicians. We can help with everything from preventative maintenance to AC repairs. You can also reach out to us for emergencies on a 24/7 basis. You can also turn to us for assistance while sacrificing.
Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. is the preferred contractor for many people in Nashua and the surrounding areas as they prep their ACs for summer, so contact us today and discover the difference our approach makes.
