4 Ways to Prep for Air Conditioning Season

Summer might seem like it’s a long time off away. But before you know it, you’ll be moving from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is running regularly to maintain cool temperatures. It’s beneficial to be ready for the extra usage before temperatures heat up. 

Donelson Air Service Experts and our team of Experts can help. We’ve created our all-inclusive air conditioning memberships to boost your system’s energy efficiency and trustworthiness. Our professional skill goes a long way, but there are lots of other things you can do to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the best ways you can prep for air conditioning season. 

1. Clean Your Air Conditioner

Don’t fret, you won’t have to disassemble your system and clean every piece. Our Experts handle this during your yearly air conditioning maintenance appointment. 

But cleaning the space around your air conditioner will go a long way as well. We recommend: 

• Getting rid of twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner. 
• Keeping surrounding grass and plants cut back. 
• Maintaining at minimum 1 foot of clear room on all sides around your air conditioner. 

If your air conditioner’s fins get blocked by dirt or yard refuse, this can affect performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to work harder to deliver the same level of cool air. In severe cases, it may stop running altogether and need air conditioning repair. 

Your comfort and satisfaction are important to us, so we want to minimize the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A well-maintained air conditioner usually operates more efficiently, is less likely to break down and typically lasts longer. 

2. Replace Your Air Filter

Frequently replacing your air filter is critical for your air conditioner’s well-being. During a maintenance visit, our specialists check filters and replace them if needed. Putting in a new filter is speedy and straightforward. You can (and should) do it on your own whenever! 

How frequently you need to get a new filter depends on: 

• The kind of filter you use. 
• If someone in your house has asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems. 

• If you have pets. 

Basic flat filters typically last for 30–60 days. More dense pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you don’t know if your filter should be replaced, remove it, and angle it toward the light. Get a new one if you can’t see light through it. 

Filters trap dust, pollen and other pollutants from your home’s air, keeping airflow healthy. Disregarding it will impact your home’s indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s efficiency. 

Sometimes a dirty filter could even damage your system or cause it to malfunction. Frequently changing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more balanced. 

If someone in your household has allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems, check with our Experts about how a HEPA filter can help. 

3. Inspect Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors

Now is the perfect time to check other important pieces of your air conditioner and other safety systems. 

If you have a programmable thermostat, check that it’s operating correctly. If the batteries are running low, replace them. 

For added control and convenience, think about getting a smart thermostat. They make saving energy simpler. And select models can even alert you if there’s an issue with your air conditioner or if your air filter needs replacing. 

Although they’re not part of your air conditioning system, now is a good time to check the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they’re still good gives peace of mind and an additional layer of safety. 

4. Keep Heat Outdoors

One of the wisest ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to decrease the amount of outside heat coming into your house. Using quality window treatments such as blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can keep the sun from impacting interior temperatures. 

Here are several other approaches to keep your house cold without adjusting the thermostat: 

• Run ceiling fans when you’re in the room. 
• Turn on your bathroom fan to remove heat and humidity when you shower. 

• Keep air vents clean to ensure ample airflow. 
• Install caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows. 

Rely on Donelson Air Service Experts for Skilled Air Conditioning Maintenance

Our list will help your air conditioner cool better this summer. But the wisest way you can improve efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some pluses of this service include: 

• Stress-free cooling. 

• Possibly reduced cooling costs. 
• Possibly extending your air conditioner’s lifetime. 
• Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid. 

Make sure your air conditioning is ready for this summer! Contact the heating and cooling Experts at Donelson Air Service Experts now! Reach us at 615-953-9885 to book your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.