Prep Your AC For Sacramento Summer

Is your air conditioning system up to the task of dealing with a hot Sacramento summer? Here in the Sacramento Valley, we are used to having temperatures over 100 degrees, making it absolutely essential to have a working AC.  Today on the blog, Gilmore Heating, Air and Plumbing, Sacramento HVAC Company, shares how to prep your AC for Sacramento summer. 

Change Your Filters.

While this is the most basic method of air-conditioning maintenance, many people fail to perform it on a regular basis. Our Sacramento AC Service technicians recommend changing your air conditioner’s filters every month or two to keep it running smoothly.

Ensure the Condensation Lines are Clean

Condensation will clog the pipe leading away from your air conditioner. If the pipe clogs, water can back up into the air conditioner, causing a messy situation and a large repair bill.

Hiring a Sacramento Residential AC Company will help best maintain your residential air conditioner. 

Get a Smart Thermostat

What’s the most most impactful way to lower your bills and maintain your AC? Installing a programmable thermostat and setting it to minimize the use of air conditioning or heat when you are not home will save you a lot of money on your energy bills. Fortunately, installing these thermostats yourself is relatively simple and just needs a few tools. Our Sacramento HVAC experts can get this done for you! 

Clean the Outside Unit’s Coils.

Additionally, if you don’t use a cover, the outside unit of your air conditioner has been accumulating dust, dirt, and other debris throughout the winter. All of that gunk clogs up the machine, slowing down the operation of your air conditioner.

As follows, our team recommends using a garden hose to clean the unit’s exterior if it’s soiled. A commercial air-conditioner cleaner can be purchased at a hardware store to clean heavily soiled units. Our team can also do this for you during a residential AC maintenance appointment. 

Clear the Area around the Exterior

Plants, leaves, tall grass, and debris near your outdoor device will reduce the efficiency of your air conditioner. Cut the lawn, vacuum out any debris, and remove any plants that are blocking the device before turning on the air conditioner. Also, we recommend doing this at least once a month during the summer for debris.

Check for leaks in the ductwork.

Leaky ducts make the HVAC system operate 50 percent harder because they leak only 20% of the conditioned air flowing through them.

Inspect the ductwork for broken joints, missing parts, and small holes. If you notice a leak, use Underwriters Laboratories-branded tape to cover it. Tapes with a fabric or rubber backing degrade faster.