As winter comes to an end, you can expect warmer weather. Georgia, of course, is known for hot and humid summers. Temperatures in the Peach State regularly exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit during this time of year. By ensuring your air conditioning system ready for the warm weather, however, you can beat the heat.
Clean the Condenser Coil
To prepare your air conditioning system for the warm weather, you should clean the condenser coil. The condenser coil is the outdoor unit. Central air conditioning systems have an indoor unit, known as the evaporator coil, and they have an outdoor unit, which is the condenser coil.
Because they are located outdoors, condenser coils can become dirty. Leaves, pine straw, branches and other yard debris may accumulate inside of them. If not cleaned, this debris can lower the cooling performance and efficiency of your air conditioning system.
Check the Air Filter
You should check the air filter to determine whether it needs replacing. If it’s visibly dirty – or if you’ve been using it for longer than two or three months – you should replace it.
The air filter will work year-round to remove pollutants from the air inside of your home. During the spring and summer months, though, the air filter is particularly important. Airborne pollutants are more common in warm weather than cold weather. There’s usually more mold and pollen in warm weather, for example. By maintaining a clean air filter, you can keep levels of these and other airborne pollutants in check.
Inspect Refrigerant Lines
It’s a good idea to inspect the refrigerant lines to prepare your air conditioning system for the warm weather. Most air conditioning systems have two refrigerant lines, both of which are copper pipes. There’s a small refrigerant line that’s used to transport liquid refrigerant, and there’s a large refrigerant line that’s used to transport gas refrigerant.
The large refrigerant line should be insulated. If any of the insulation is missing or damaged, you should replace it. Without proper insulation, condensation may develop and drip from the large refrigerant line.
Flush Condensate Drain
Speaking of condensation, you may want to flush your air conditioning system’s condensate drain to prepare it for the warm weather. Your air conditioning system will produce moisture as it removes heat from your home. This moisture will fall into a pan where it’s dispelled through the condensate drain.
Condensate drains can become clogged. If you discover that it’s not flushing moisture properly, contact a a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) professional to have it cleaned.
