Summer in Columbus, GA brings high humidity and soaring temperatures. When the mercury rises past 90 degrees, having a functional AC is essential. Without a working cooling system, you and everyone else in your home could be at risk of heat-related illnesses. Fortunately, you can avoid dangerous, mid-season breakdowns and frustrating performance issues by having your AC tuned up before summer arrives. We’ll explain why spring is the perfect time to schedule an AC tune-up here in Georgia.
Clean Out Trapped Debris
After turning your AC off for the final time last summer, you probably didn’t pay it much attention. After all, how much damage can an air conditioner sustain when lying dormant for months on end? The answer is surprising.
Algae and Mold
Small amounts of residual moisture in your air conditioner’s condensate drain line create the ideal conditions for algae and mold development. If you turn your air conditioner on without having it tuned up, these buildups could prevent condensate from draining. Unchecked mold and algal blooms can also lead to functional problems like:
- Short cycling
- Overheating
- Decreased humidity control
- Insufficient cooling
These growths are a common cause of foul odors during AC operation. When performing your springtime tune-up, we’ll clean, disinfect, and deodorize your air conditioner’s condensate drain.
Dust and Other Particulates
In most homes, heaters and air conditioners share the same air handler. Thus, even though you haven’t been using your air conditioner for cooling, one of its primary components has continued to sustain wear. When summer arrives, buildups of dust and other debris throughout this component could inhibit both airflow and heat transfer. Our technicians will inspect your air handler and clean it inside and out.
Get a Fresh HVAC Air Filter
Throughout the year, you should inspect your HVAC air filter every few weeks and replace it every 30 to 90 days. With a springtime tune-up, our technicians can determine the right filter rating for your summertime needs. With high pollen counts and increases in other seasonal particulate matter, you might want an upgrade. We inspect and replace HVAC air filters for our clients and make need-specific recommendations.
Identify Airflow Issues
Much like your indoor air handler, your HVAC air ducts work year-round. We test airflow as part of our preventive maintenance services to spot air duct leaks, blockages, and buildups. Finding and fixing air leaks minimizes AC stress and prevents stress-related breakdowns. It also helps keep cooling costs manageable.
Inspect and Set Your Thermostat
Thermostats act as the brains of heating and cooling systems. They tell air conditioners and other HVAC equipment when to turn off and on. If your thermostat isn’t reading your indoor temperature correctly, your AC could run longer than necessary or fail to turn on when you need it to. We inspect and calibrate thermostats, help homeowners choose the right summertime thermostat settings, and make as-needed thermostat upgrades.
Limit Wear
Your air conditioner has two blower motors: one in its outside condenser/compressor unit and one in its air handler. Cleaning these components protects and improves indoor air quality (IAQ). Performing air conditioner tune-ups also allow us to lubricate moving parts and optimize blower fan speeds.
Extend the Lifespan of Your AC and Prevent Costly Problems
Scheduling pre-season preventive maintenance will optimize your IAQ and the efficiency of your cooling system. It will also extend the lifespan of your AC and help you sidestep costly problems. For instance, by catching and correcting minor refrigerant leaks in spring, we can prevent compressor failure when summertime temperatures soar, and your cooling needs increase.
Don’t wait until summer arrives to turn your AC on and determine whether it’s still functioning. Doing so could result in unfortunate surprises and leave you scrambling to schedule AC repairs just as local HVAC contractors are inundated during a heat wave.
Scheduling an AC tune-up in the spring will ensure that your cooling system is ready for Georgia’s summer weather. However, this isn’t a one-off task. To get the most from your AC and preserve your AC manufacturer’s warranty, you’ll need to schedule preseason maintenance every year.
At DNA Heating & Air, we offer expert AC tune-up and repair services throughout the Columbus area. A veteran-owned company, we also provide low-cost, high-value preventive maintenance plans that keep springtime maintenance easy and affordable.
To get your air conditioner summer-ready, or if you need us to install a new system, contact DNA Heating & Air today!
