In Columbus and throughout many areas of the country, the cool fall winds are about to start blowing. That means that soon we’ll be preparing the furnace for the frigid winter temperatures, and the air conditioners needs its tune-up for the end of its season.
For those who aren’t already scheduled, it’s essential to reach out to for preventive maintenance with a trusted professional like Logan HVAC repair Columbus, Ohio. The experts will clean the system, check for defects, and make the necessary repairs before these become major problems.
Old, broken, or worn parts will be replaced, and the unit will be charged. The technicians will advise on winterizing the home for the greatest energy efficiency in the coldest months of the year. Similarly, a programmable thermostat is encouraged if there’s still a manual device in the home.
Let’s review a few ways to prepare your air conditioning and home for the cooler months.
Tips on Preparing the Air Conditioning & Your Home for Cooler Weather
As the weather becomes a little cooler in the evenings, Columbus residents are setting their household temperatures up a little higher. It’s almost time to do the fall tune-up and winterize the system and your home. You’ll need to do so if you haven’t scheduled with your HVAC specialist.
Some things the professional will handle with the fall check to prevent expensive repairs down the road include the following:
- Thermostat accuracy
- Cleaning the air ducts
- Inspect belts for wear and tightness/oil motors
- Check refrigerant level
- Electric terminal inspection plus clean/tighten connections
- Duct inspection for seal/leaks
- Confirm that the electric control sequence is accurate
- Measure airflow with evaporator coils
The thermostat
HVAC professionals suggest that homeowners reset the thermostat each time the clocks change. These should be adjusted according to comfortability but should be moderately warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
The suggestion also is that the batteries in the thermostat be changed at this time, whether they need to be or not. This way, there’s never a problem with function due to battery failure.
It’s encouraged to ask your HVAC tech about a programmable thermostat that will adjust to your lifestyle. These are more efficient than manual options. Learn about DIY air conditioning repairs at https://www.thesawguy.com/diy-air-conditioning-repair/.
The air filters
While using the air conditioner, the filter needs to be regularly changed. Its job is to collect the debris, dust, dirt, and allergens floating in the air. These can clog relatively quickly depending on your location, the area surrounding your home, the pollen level, and whether pets are in the house.
As a rule, it’s recommended that they be changed roughly every 30 days, but more often based on the conditions. When it’s time to shut down for the season, a new filter should be implemented.
When it’s time to turn it back on in the coming season, the filter will be checked and possibly changed since it sat all winter. Techs come for preventive maintenance in the fall, but a good practice is to come again in the spring for summer prep.
The condenser unit
Usually, once fall sets in, the air conditioning condenser unit is consumed by leaves, dirt, weeds, and grime. These natural elements can hinder clean airflow and disrupt the HVAC system’s efficiency when the cold weather sets in.
A garden hose should be used to clean the debris away from the unit, and the tall grass must be cut with loose remnants and weeds, leaves, and other debris raked. The coils should be cleaned along the exterior area to encourage adequate airflow and avoid heat absorption. Click for air conditioner cleaning tips.
If the system is no longer used, the unit’s power should be shut off to prevent condenser damage if the thermostat is inadvertently switched to “cool” while the heat is on. Find the power box and flip the switch off. It’s important to remember when spring comes back around to turn it back to “on.”
The power must be on for roughly 24 hours before using the system. Any exposed piping and wires to the air conditioning system should be wrapped with foam pipe covers. Those going into the home are especially vulnerable. Duct tape will ensure these stay in place to avoid the potential for freezing or cracking.
Final Thought
The weather will slowly get cooler, with the air conditioning used less often. For those in Columbus who still need to do so, it’s time to schedule your fall preventive maintenance and prepare the system for winter.
The AC specialists will check for possible defects and correct these before they turn into extensive and expensive repairs. The equipment will be inspected, cleaned, and recharged to prepare for the next season.
For good measure, after sitting all winter, the tech will come back to start the system back up in the spring. Soon, the first furnace use of the year will be wafting through the air.
