Yearly Maintenance isn’t enough to keep your air conditioner running smoothly. If you really want to protect your HVAC system, divide maintenance into seasonal chunks.
Identify problems earlier and prevent HVAC disasters by performing a few simple tasks each season.
Why is seasonal air conditioner maintenance important ?
Air conditioners aren’t asked to do the same amount of work year-round. Throughout the spring and summer your AC works hard to keep you cool, but it might go dormant for months in the winter. Addressing seasonal issues with your AC ensures that your system runs efficiently no matter what time of year it is.
Regular maintenance also prevents more serious problems down the road. When you allow your system to fall into disrepair, you’ll experience loss of efficiency, higher-than-usual energy bills, and even a shortened lifetime for your equipment. Performing some basic maintenance throughout the year can prevent most expensive problems before they start.
Spring maintenance checklist
Spring is the ideal time to get your system ready for excessive heat and humidity. Conditioners work their hardest during summer months, so ensure your system is ready before it’s put into high demand.
Change or clean your air filter. Not only will this improve efficiency, but it’s the easiest thing you can do to improve airflow through your system. Clogged and dirty filters seriously impede airflow, which decreases efficiency.
Remove debris from your outdoor unit. Leaves, dirt, and overgrown foliage can accumulate while your HVAC is dormant. Trim back foliage near the unit so that there are at least two feet of open space on all sides. You should also pick up any leaves or large debris that might have collected nearby.
Other spring tasks to consider:
- Cleaning your condenser coils. Dust and grime accumulate on your coils over time.
- Testing your thermostat. Ensure its holding temperature correctly.
- Checking ductwork for obvious leaks.
- Scheduling your yearly professional inspection.
Early summer tasks
Once temperatures begin to rise, ensure your system is prepared for its busiest season. If your system isn’t cooling like it used to, check your refrigerant levels. Insufficient refrigerant is a telltale sign of a leak and will need to be professionally serviced.
You should also test out your system before the heat becomes unbearable. Run your system for at least fifteen minutes and ensure that it’s cooling your home during periods of operation. Catching problems early gives you time to hire a repair company before they become overloaded with customers. (You don’t want to wait until the hottest day of the year to find out your system isn’t working!)
Midsummer maintenance
Your air conditioner works the hardest during the hottest parts of the year. Ensure that your system is operating at peak efficiency by checking your air filter once a month. During periods of high use, your filter will collect dust faster than usual. Some homeowners find they need to replace their filter every 30 days instead of 90.
While your system is running, listen for any odd noises. Grinding, squealing, or clicking noises can point to larger issues. Be proactive and catch these problems during the summer rather than letting them turn into full-blown breakdowns.
Additional summer tasks:
- Cleaning debris from your outdoor unit.
- Ensuring vents are unblocked by furniture or curtains.
- Watching your energy bill for sudden increases.
- Checking your condensate drain line for clogs.
Late summer/early fall tasks
This time period marks your transition from excessive heat to mildly warm weather. Take this opportunity to perform a mid-year checkup on your system. If you haven’t already scheduled your yearly professional inspection, do so now.
You can also thoroughly clean your outdoor unit. Summer storms and general use can leave behind dirt and debris that decrease efficiency.
Fall air conditioner maintenance
Fall is characterized by less intensive cooling than summer provides. Because your system won’t be working as hard, perform maintenance checks that don’t necessarily need to be completed during summer.
Schedule a professional inspection if your system will be used for fall cooling. Even if you think your system is fine, it’s always smart to have a professional take a look.
Replace or clean your filter for the last time before decreased use. You don’t want your system sitting with a dirty filter all fall and winter.
Other fall tasks to consider:
- Cleaning your condenser coils now that they’ve endured summer.
- Checking your ductwork insulation. Fall temperatures will help you identify weak spots.
- Covering your outdoor unit if you live in an area with cold winters. Be sure to purchase a breathable cover that’s designed for your AC unit.
Winter HVAC maintenance
Depending on where you live, your air conditioner may go entirely dormant over winter. If your system isn’t used at all, ensure that it’s properly prepared for storage. Window units can often be removed and stored in closets or spare rooms.
Central air conditioners and ductless systems will usually remain outside all year. Ensure that these units aren’t covered in snow or ice. While most systems are built to handle winter weather, excess snow can cause damage if left untended.
Winter maintenance tasks to consider:
- Ensuring your outdoor unit is level and not covered in ice.
- Checking covers for any rips or tears that could allow moisture to enter.
- Scheduling larger repairs or replacements during winter months. HVAC technicians are often less busy during these slower months.
- Researching energy efficient units to install before next summer.
Preparing for next spring
As you wrap up your yearly maintenance, start preparing for next year’s seasons. If your current system isn’t meeting your needs, winter is the perfect time to begin researching new units. Technology is always improving, and you might be surprised at how inefficient your old HVAC system is compared to new models.
It can also help to review your maintenance records from the past year. Did your system experience the same problem multiple times? Write these down and discuss them with your HVAC technician at your next professional inspection.
Case Study: Why Checking Your AC Before Summer Can Help
One of the best examples of preventative air-conditioning maintenance we’ve seen comes from the U. S. Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP).
The FEMP website recommends regular checks of air-conditioning equipment and keeping your cooling system in good working order. You might wonder why maintenance is important. The logic is pretty simple: restricted airflow, dirty equipment and haphazard maintenance practices all make your air conditioner work harder.
You can think of it this way: if your air conditioner has to move the same amount of conditioned air through a building, but many of the vents are blocked or dirty, it will need to expend more energy to do so. Proper airflow and well-maintained equipment means a more efficient, effective cooling system.
The DOE also notes that preventative maintenance can keep equipment operating at peak efficiency and maximize equipment lifespan. Waiting until your air conditioner fails to try and fix it is going to be more expensive than preventative maintenance.
Read maintenance tips from the DOE’s air-conditioning site.
The moral of the story? Don’t wait until things break down to perform maintenance. Don’t make your air conditioner’s first heavy run of the year the day you find out it needs service.
Get ahead of the game. Turn on your air conditioner before summer and pay attention to how it operates. Is the airflow strong through all vents? Does the outdoor unit appear clean? Are there any strange smells when you turn it on? Does it make unusual sounds? Does the thermostat respond properly?
Run your air conditioner for long enough to ensure that it works, and call a professional to inspect the equipment if something doesn’t seem right. It could make the difference between an annual maintenance call and an expensive repair emergency.
FAQs About AC Maintenance
Check out these frequently asked questions about seasonal air-conditioning maintenance from Service Experts.
How frequently should I have my air conditioner serviced?
If you own an HVAC system, once a year is commonly recommended. However, you should monitor your system throughout the year as well. Monthly inspections of your air filter, airflow and other elements of your AC system can ward off trouble. Your maintenance schedule will vary by system, location, usage and manufacturer guidelines.
What should I do to my air conditioner before summer?
Switch out your air filter or give it a good clean. Make sure outdoor debris is cleared away from your outdoor condenser. Confirm that all vents are open and unblocked, and test your system before the temperatures soar.
Hiring a professional HVAC service expert to maintain your system is also wise if it hasn’t been done recently.
How often should I change my air filter?
It depends on your filter. Some air filters are good for several months; others should be changed more frequently.
If you have pets, dust in your home or use your air conditioner consistently, your filter will become dirty faster. During warmer months, check it monthly instead of waiting for a reminder.
Does a dirty filter decrease my air conditioner’s efficiency?
Yes, especially if it is very dirty. Restricted airflow makes your air conditioner work harder. It can also hurt energy efficiency and cooling performance.
I should probably leave my outdoor air conditioner unit alone all winter, right?
Not exactly. While your air conditioner’s outdoor condenser unit can remain outside during the winter, you don’t want to completely cover it. Businesses and homeowners sometimes use an airtight cover that actually traps moisture inside the unit.
If you cover your outdoor condenser unit, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. Use a breathable cover where necessary. Otherwise, simply keep the area around the outdoor unit clear of leaves, snow or other debris.
Should I run my air conditioner before summer arrives?
Yes. Running your air conditioner prior to the peak of summer is one of the best ways to ensure it is ready for the season. Test that your system starts, blows cool air and doesn’t make strange noises. You should also confirm that air is flowing out of all of the vents and that the thermostat operates properly.
If not, you’ll have time to schedule an air-conditioning repair and avoid the rush.
What are some signs that my air conditioner needs maintenance?
Weak airflow, strange smells, odd noises, uncomfortable temperatures, water leaking from or near the indoor unit, high electricity bills and equipment that runs constantly are all signs that your air conditioner could use maintenance.
If your air conditioner has refrigerant issues, you may experience weak cooling as well. However, caring for your air conditioner’s refrigerant should always be handled by a professional technician.
Can I clean my air conditioner myself?
You can perform some limited maintenance on your air conditioner. Replacing your air filter is easy. Keeping debris away from the outside condenser unit is another task you can handle.
Whenever possible, leave maintenance to a certified HVAC technician. Avoid trying to fix problems with electrical components, refrigerant issues and mechanical failures yourself. You put yourself and your equipment at risk when you try to fix these problems on your own.
Is winter a good time to replace my old air conditioner?
Yes. Especially if your air conditioner struggled last summer, you can use winter to find out what your options are. Don’t make your decision based solely on price. Energy efficiency, cooling power, operating costs, refrigerant type, warranty and installation process are all factors to consider when buying a new air conditioner.
Does annual maintenance actually help my air conditioner last longer?
Not indefinitely. However, annual maintenance can help your air conditioner run reliably and prevent unnecessary problems. Cleaning your air conditioner, ensuring proper airflow and detecting worn components before they fail can all help your air conditioner operate more efficiently.
However, eventually, your air conditioner will become too costly to repair and too inefficient to justify keeping it rather than buying a new, energy-efficient model.
What’s the best thing to include in my air-conditioning maintenance log?
Log the date you changed your filter or cleaned it. Record when you had the system professionally serviced and when you performed repairs. Include any refrigerant changes, unusual problems and parts that you replaced.
As you continue this log for several years, you’ll be able to reference it if a problem continues to occur. That way, you and your HVAC technician can identify possible problems instead of trying to recall when you last performed maintenance.
When’s the best time of year to hire a professional to maintain my HVAC equipment?
Spring and fall are ideal for cooling and heating systems, respectively. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore your AC unit in the winter and cooling equipment in the summer. Different seasons call for different maintenance tasks.
In general, think of AC maintenance as being habitual instead of a once-a-year appointment. Clean or change your filter regularly, pay attention to operating performance, keep outdoor units clear of debris and have a technician inspect the system yearly before problems become large repairs.
Final Words
Keep a log of your yearly maintenance. Mark down the date you changed your filters and when you had your system professionally inspected. This can help you easily reference when you last completed a certain task.
You’ll also have handy records if you ever need to provide maintenance history to your HVAC technician.
