4 Tips to Prep for Air Conditioning Season

Summer may feel like it’s a long time off away. But before you blink, you’ll be switching from heating to cooling. Soon enough your air conditioner is running regularly to maintain cool temperatures. It’s beneficial to be ready for the extra usage before temperatures really start to climb. 

Midway Services and our team of Experts can assist you. We’ve created our all-inclusive air conditioning memberships to boost your system’s energy efficiency and trustworthiness. Our professional skill goes a long way, but there are a lot of other things you can do to protect your air conditioner. Here are four of the best ways you can prepare for air conditioning season. 

1. Clean Your Air Conditioner

Don’t fret, you won’t have to take apart your system and clean every piece. Our Experts handle this during your annual air conditioning maintenance appointment. 

But cleaning the space around your air conditioner will go a long way as well. We suggest: 

• Getting rid of twigs, leaves and grass clippings from the outside of your air conditioner. 
• Keeping surrounding grass and plants cut back. 
• Maintaining at minimum 1 foot of clear room on all sides around your air conditioner. 

If your air conditioner’s fins get blocked by dirt or yard refuse, this can affect performance and comfort. Your air conditioner will have to run longer to deliver the same level of cool air. In extreme cases, it may stop running altogether and need air conditioning repair. 

Your comfort and satisfaction matter to us, so we prefer minimizing the likelihood of repairs in the first place. A well-maintained air conditioner usually operates more efficiently, is less likely to need repairs and usually lasts longer. 

2. Put in a New Air Filter

Frequently replacing your air filter is critical for your air conditioner’s well-being. During a maintenance visit, our technicians examine filters and replace them if needed. Putting in a new filter is quick and straightforward. You can (and should) do it on your own whenever! 

How frequently you need to get a new filter depends on: 

• The kind of filter you use. 
• If someone in your household has asthma, allergies or other respiratory concerns. 

• If you have pets. 

Basic flat filters usually last for 30–60 days. Thicker pleated filters can last up to 90 days. If you don’t know if your filter should be replaced, pull it out, and tilt it toward the light. Replace it if you can’t see light through it. 

Filters trap dust, pollen and other pollutants from your residence’s air, keeping airflow clean. Disregarding it will impact your residence’s indoor air quality and your air conditioner’s efficiency. 

Sometimes a dirty filter could even damage your system or cause it to break down. Frequently replacing it will keep the inside of your air conditioner cleaner and airflow more balanced. 

If someone in your household has allergies, asthma or other respiratory problems, check with our Experts about how a HEPA filter can relieve symptoms. 

3. Inspect Your Thermostat and Smoke Detectors

Now is a good time to check other important pieces of your air conditioner and other safety systems. 

If you have a programmable thermostat, check that it’s running right. If the batteries are getting low, replace them. 

For added control and convenience, consider getting a smart thermostat. They make saving energy simpler. And select models can even tell you if there’s an issue with your air conditioner or if your air filter needs replacing. 

Although they’re not part of your air conditioning system, now is an excellent time to test the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Confirming they’re still good gives peace of mind and an additional layer of safety. 

4. Keep Heat Where it Belongs

One of the best ways to boost energy-efficient cooling is to reduce the amount of outside heat coming into your home. Using good window treatments like blackout curtains, honeycomb shades or plantation shutters, can stop the sun from affecting interior temperatures. 

Here are several other approaches to keep your home cold without turning down the thermostat: 

• Run ceiling fans when you’re in the room. 
• Run your bathroom fan to eliminate heat and humidity when you shower. 

• Keep air vents clean to ensure adequate airflow. 
• Install caulk and weatherstripping to seal your doors and windows. 

Rely on Midway Services for Professional Air Conditioning Maintenance

Our list will help your air conditioner cool better this summer. But the best way you can increase efficiency is with air conditioning maintenance. Some pluses of this service entail: 

• Stress-free cooling. 

• Potentially cheaper cooling costs. 
• Possibly lengthening your air conditioner’s lifetime. 
• Keeping your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid. 

Make sure your air conditioning is ready for this summer! Contact the heating and cooling Experts at Midway Services now! Contact us at 727-219-2471 to book your maintenance appointment or to learn more about our HVAC membership plans.