Here are a few things that you can check on your own for your HVAC system
It’s March in Gillespie, IL, which means we’re waiting on the warmer weather to awaken us from a long, cold winter. However, with warmer weather comes the necessity of your air conditioning system, especially as Spring turns into Summer. With that in mind, now may be the best time for professional air conditioning maintenance. A trained professional will come to your home to evaluate performance, clean, and repair your air conditioner for a unit that lasts all season long. However, if you don’t have time or need to switch on your air conditioner before your appointment, here are a few things that you can look for and adjust before the professional gets a chance to look at things.
Filter
Checking the air conditioning filter is one of the easiest things that you can do to check up on your HVAC system. Checking your air conditioner should be done monthly, so you should be no stranger to changing or cleaning your air filter (some filters are reusable). If dirty or clogged, this will impair your system’s performance, and it should be changed or cleaned before you turn it on for good. A dirty filter will cause dust and debris to build up inside of the system, making it work harder to cool your home.
Cleanliness
This is along the same lines as the filter, but cleanliness is huge for the function of your system. First, you should clear away all debris and clutter from the system because this contributes to a dirty environment that can increase the dust in your system.
Performance
While you may not be able to check the measurables of your system, you can certainly turn it on to see if it’s working. If you’re not feeling cold air coming out of the vents, this is not a good sign. At the very least, you’ll need a professional to recharge the refrigerant. If cold air comes out and everything seems normal, you’re probably in good shape until you can get an air conditioning tune-up.
Indoor Unit
Do an overall inspection of your indoor unit. You may not have the expertise or the tools to look inside of it, but evaluate it from the outside. Does it kick on at the right times? Is it making strange noises? Look for simple things that could tip you off to something more significant.
Outdoor Unit
You’ll also want to look at the outdoor unit. The outdoor unit blows warm air from inside the home, outside. When it’s working correctly, it will kick on with the rest of the A/C unit, and the fan should be spinning. Make sure there’s no yard debris around the unit to prevent damage and problems with your system.
Thermostat Settings
Finally, make sure your thermostat is working, and it’s on the right settings. Try changing the temperature to make sure the unit is kicking on and off at the right time and ensure the thermostat is set to ‘auto.’ This makes sure the system isn’t running when you don’t need it to be!
