As the days start to get longer and the temperatures begin to rise, it can only mean that spring and summer are soon to be upon us. This means getting your HVAC system as ready as it can be before it’s needed for that first too warm weekend. Proper maintenance and startup for your air conditioner – after lying dormant for months – will help extend the life of your unit, prolong efficiency, and keep your house comfortable.

What to Do Before Turning on AC After Winter?

There are a few things you can do for your air conditioning system before starting it up for the first time after a restful winter:

• Check the air filters and replace if dirty. Clogged and dirty filters can increase the unit’s energy consumption as well as making the unit have to work harder.
• Clean outdoor air conditioner coils. Evaporator and condenser coils can collect dirt over time. This dirt can reduce the flow of air and affects the coils’ ability to absorb heat. Make sure the area is devoid of debris by clearing out leaves, dirt, and making sure there is at least two feet cleared around the unit for adequate airflow.
• Check the coil fins. The aluminum fins on the coils can be easily bent and block airflow. Acquire a “fin comb” from places like an air conditioning wholesaler and you can get the fins back to how they are meant to be.
• Schedule Annual Maintenance. This is also a great time of year to schedule your unit’s annual maintenance with a qualified service technician.

Why Is My AC Not Turning on After Winter?

It’s better to know if something is wrong with your AC before it becomes too hot to handle. There are a few checklist options you can work through yourself to try and get your air conditioner running:

• Is this thing on? The first place to start is always ensuring the air conditioner is on and set to cool.
• Check some switches. Your outdoor AC unit should have a place near it that houses an emergency or shut-off switch. Check to make sure it hasn’t accidentally been placed in the “off” position.
• Check the circuit breaker. You might have a blown fuse caused by an overloaded circuit breaker. If the breaker immediately trips again then there may be an electrical problem that will require an electrician’s expertise. If this happens, make sure not to turn the circuit breaker back on as it could potentially damage either the AC unit or other household appliances.
• Capacitor failing. You might notice a buzzing noise as the AC condenser fan is trying to spin without the power from the capacitor.
• Check for clogged lines. The AC condensate drain line can become clogged with algae and grime, use a wet/dry vacuum to try and clear the obstruction.

What Is an AC Start Up?

After sitting for a prolonged period of time, your air conditioner might need a checkup to ensure it is running optimally. You can follow the above checklists to get your system up to speed for the spring and summer.

If you prefer the peace of mind from a professional checking your system (or are worried your HVAC may have an issue), a qualified technician from Tragar Home Services can provide startup service and maintenance. Otherwise, doing some basic system checks, cleaning your vents, replacing filters, etc. will help ensure better indoor air quality, prolong the life of your unit, and lessen the chance of a breakdown when the temps start rising.

Tragar Provides Year-round Comfort Care for Your Home

Tragar Home Services can handle all your heating, cooling, and fuel needs for year-round comfort. Whether it’s maintenance or an upgrade, our team can handle it. Talk to us about installing smart thermostats, ductless AC, radiant heating, or even heat pumps – in addition to furnace or central air upgrades, oil delivery, BioHeat®, and more. Contact us today to keep your home comfortable.