A fitness plan… for your air conditioner

Winter is a great time to get in shape – if you’re an air conditioner. For homeowners with ducted air conditioning systems, run your air conditioner for a few minutes now, before you need it. If you wait until the first hot day to discover it isn't working, you'll find yourself on a waiting list, sweltering sometimes for days before a specialist can come to fix it.
Posted On: March 10, 2011

As outside temperatures start reaching 60 degrees or above, it’s the perfect time to “test run” the system. Though many companies will tell you they can check your air conditioner while the outdoor temperature is below 60 degrees, this is false. Almost every manufacturer recommends checking air conditioners when temperatures are above 60 degrees.

I recommend annual air conditioning check-ups in the spring and furnace check-ups every fall. Although regular checkups will not absolutely guarantee that a unit will continue to work perfectly throughout the season, they will reveal most small problems that can lead to major, far more expensive problems if left unattended. Click here to see some of the services we provide.

Other things you should do for your fitness plan:

  • Change your filters regularly. This is the #1 cause for service calls and can damage your system. Dirty filters restrict air flow, reducing efficiency and worst case, can cause the evaporator to ice up. Disposable fiberglass filters should replaced. Electrostatic or electronic filters need to be washed regularly. You can contact us for filter size and cost if you need assistance. Click here to see some of the filter options we provide to the Seattle, Tacoma, and the Puget Sound region.
  • Clean obvious obstructions such as newspaper, leaves, etc. from around the exterior of the outdoor unit. The coil needs to have maximum air flow to be efficient and reduce wear and tear on the compressor.
  • Be sure the thermostat is set in the cooling mode. Just setting the dial below room temperature will not activate the air conditioning if it is set in the heat mode.
  • If you have a cover for your outdoor unit installed, make sure it is removed before starting the system. By not removing the cover you may cause major damage to your system.

If this sounds like too much trouble or you are not sure how to do it, a qualified professional can service your air conditioner. Call us and we’d be happy to set up an appointment.

Summers in Seattle and the Puget Sound area have been getting hotter. Did you know that heat pumps are a great option for this region. They cool your home in summer and warm your home in winter much more efficiently than a regular air conditioner or furnace. For more info on our York Affinity Series air conditioner and its distinct advantages, click here.

If you are interested in getting central air conditioning installed in your home at a great season price, click here.

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