Celebrating 50 Years

Tips For Preparing Your Air Conditioner For Summer

Is your air conditioner ready for the Gainesville summer heat? You might be enjoying low utility bills right now in February, but once things heat up you’ll be running the air conditioner around the clock to stay cool and comfortable.

That comfort might cost you a lot of money if your HVAC system isn’t ready. Here at Buckhalter Heating and Air Conditioning, we know how often people forget about HVAC maintenance until they really need to use their unit. That’s why we offer fast air conditioning repair. But the best thing you can do to save money and stay cool is prepare your air conditioning unit for the warmer months now. 

In today’s blog we’ll be sharing some tips for getting your unit ready, and most of them are things you can handle yourself with a little time and energy. If any of the steps overwhelm you or you find them too difficult to accomplish with your particular unit, we’re more than happy to help! We’re a full service HVAC company, which means we cover air conditioning repair, air conditioning installation, and anything else you might need in regard to your HVAC system. Continue reading to learn more and contact Buckhalter Heating and Air Conditioning if you ever have a problem with your system.

Change The Filters

Changing your filter is one of the easiest things you can do as a homeowner in terms of AC maintenance. However, most people don’t do it often enough. Did you know that your AC filters should be replaced every month or two? Doing so keeps your system running smoothly and helps you save on energy costs.  

Clean The Coils

During the off season, your outside unit can collect a lot of dust, mud, and other debris. That’s why we suggest you use a cover when you’re preparing your air conditioning unit for winter. But if you don’t use a cover or forgot to put yours on in the fall, your unit probably has a lot of gunk on it. All of that dirt and grime clogs up the unit, causing your AC to run less efficiently. 

If there’s not too much debris, unplug the unit and spray it down with a garden hose. If it’s really dirty, you can buy a commercial air-conditioner cleaner or call in a professional HVAC company like Buckhalter Heating and Air Conditioning.

Check The Slab

Your air conditioning unit should be standing on a level concrete slab. If that slab is cracked or crooked, your unit will need to work a lot harder to keep your house cool. You can try leveling the slab yourself by prying it up with a board and adding gravel underneath, but it’s a lot of work and often isn’t worth the effort.

Remove Debris Around Unit

Organic material like leaves, grass, and shrubs may be crowding your air conditioning unit after the winter. Before you turn on the AC, be sure to cut the grass and rake up fallen leaves. If there is any trash or other debris around the unit, be sure to collect that as well. You should also be checking throughout the summer to see if things have gotten overgrown. Grass can grow fast here in Gainesville, and you don’t want it to interfere with your AC or cause you to need air conditioning repair!

Check For Leaks

Leaky ducts are something our HVAC professionals always check for when we come in for air conditioning repair, but it’s something you can keep an eye on too. Leaks make your HVAC system work much harder and cost you money on your energy bills. Look for disconnected joints and separation in your ductwork. If you happen to find any leaks, you can seal them off with duct-specific tape. 

Buckhalter Heating And Air Conditioning

We work tirelessly to ensure your comfort and satisfaction. Whether we’re working on a full air conditioning installation or coming in for a small air conditioning repair, you can trust us to get the job done right. Our founder, John Buckhalter, started this company more than 50 years ago. He wanted to give our Gainesville community access to better heating and cooling services, and that’s what we’ve been doing ever since. Learn more about our history and contact our HVAC company for all your air conditioning and heating needs.