You might think that it sounds a little funny at first to have a guide to prepping your AC for summer. However, when you own a SWFL home, your best bet is to do a brief checkup on the health of your AC before we get to the hotter months. Now, it’s not because ACs are constantly breaking or that our summers are impossible to get through. However, because we live in a paradise of sunny weather and beautiful beaches, it does make sense to ensure your home is ready for our warm season. And with that in mind… all you’ll need are these steps to ensure your AC is ready.
Turn it on early
Instead of waiting until the weather has already gotten warm, turn on your AC a bit earlier. This gives you a chance to make sure that it’s running correctly. Plus, if there are any issues, you can tackle them before the hot weather arrives.
Replace Your Filter
One of the most overlooked and simple tasks you can do to keep your AC running well is to replace your filter. If you didn’t run yours over the winter, now is a great time to check that filter and replace it.
Conduct a visual inspection
After you’ve let your AC cool your home down, you’ll want to do a visual inspection of the unit. What this means is that you physically go outside and check on the unit. How does it sound? What does it look like while it’s running? Do you notice any issues?
Remove debris in and around the unit
Any branches, leaves, or other debris in or around your unit can cause a lot of problems. If you’re feeling particularly handy, you can remove the fan guard to clean it off. But make sure you’ve turned off the power to the unit first for safety reasons.
Clean the fins
And while you have the unit open, you can also give the fins a quick clean. You don’t have to go crazy or anything, but ensuring they don’t have any build up on them is a good idea.
Check your evaporator drain
While you’re outside, you can also take the opportunity to check your evaporator drain. This is the pipe that funnels water from your drain pan to the outside, but sometimes it can become clogged.
Have an AC repair company’s number on speed dial
During your AC prep, you should also review the company you have on-call for emergencies. You can check in on their online reviews to guarantee they’re still providing quality. And if you don’t yet have someone’s number, now is the time to jot one down.
Schedule a checkup
Finally, you can also schedule a professional to look over your unit. Although this list is a good starting place, getting an AC expert to your Southwest Florida home, just to review your unit, is always recommended.
Are you considering a home in Florida, but have questions about caring for your next home? I’m always happy to answer questions!
Terry Records
Broker/Owner
Records Results Real Estate
Residential Sales and Property Management Service