Why End of Summer Air Conditioning Maintenance Is a Must

Most of us think the spring or early summer are the right times to think about air conditioning maintenance, but the fact is that early fall is an excellent, and very sensible time to conduct it as well. 

End of summer air conditioning maintenance can help ensure that your units will be ready to go in the spring as well as able to cope with those unexpected ‘Indian Summer‘ days that often pop up in September and even occasionally even later in the year. 

By scheduling a fall checkup you will give yourself plenty of time to address any major problems too. You can make the big repair or replace decision without having to worry too much about whether the work will leave you sweltering in your own living room and as it’s before the big ‘winter rush’ HVAC companies will have more time and personnel available to get any work done in a timely fashion. 

So what type of end of summer air conditioning maintenance should be performed and what are some air conditioning maintenance tips for this time of year? Here’s a closer look. 

Replace the Air Filter

Ideally this will not be the first time you are replacing your AC filter this summer, but even if you have been slacking in that department a little early fall is the time that this MUST be done. 

Changing your air filters frequently is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to help maintain the performance of your air conditioner and extend its useful life, so the ten minutes it will take (tops) is an excellent use of your time. 

Give Your AC Unit Room to “Breathe”

Over the course of the summer often grass, bushes and even weeds sprout around your outdoor AC unit, limiting its access to air circulation. If that’s the case for you, get out that rake and weed whacker now and trim things down before the cold weather arrives. 

Clean Your Coils and Condensate Line

Dirty, dusty coils and/or a blocked condensate line can lead to all kinds of issues with your outdoor AC unit, which is why both need a thorough cleaning at the end of the summer. While you can simply choose to broom or hose off the unit yourself, it will really benefit from a thorough professional cleaning and this is a great time to schedule one. 

Take a Closer Look 

Head outside and inspect the AC unit there. Do you hear any rattles or strange sounds? Can you see evidence of animal activity, or damage from the mower? Are there any frayed wires or signs of rust? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, these are issues that need to be addressed now, not next spring when you are just a few days from the big turn on for the year. 

Combine Your End of Summer AC Maintenance with a Furnace Tune-Up

An increasing number of homes – and homeowners – now benefit from having their residential furnace tuned up for the fall at the same time they perform end of summer AC maintenance. You should consider doing the same. 

Why? Because this will give you the peace of mind of knowing that your whole HVAC system is cleaned, maintained, and ready for the seasons ahead. Things can get very busy quickly in the fall, and these are two projects that can be handled early and easily.