ProSkill Services are proud to prep your homes for the hotter months with Air Conditioning Service, Repair and Installation that make summer a breeze (literally!)

Whether you are looking to service or repair your existing Air Conditioning machine or the time has come to invest in a new and improved unit, ProSkill Services is here to prioritize the temperature of your home without hassle.

As summer is just around the corner, preparing your air conditioner with a proactive tune-up checklist should be on everyone’s to-do list. With that in mind, here are the tasks to tick off to have the coolest summer yet!

For Many Homeowners, These Are Not DIY Tasks

Before ticking off the checklist to prepare your AC for summer, it is important to note that a large number of tasks on this list are not often done (or advised to be done) by yourself. Though there are points on this list that you can work through, your AC machine requires professional services. Please do not try to work with your AC machine if you have not been trained to do so.

1. Schedule Routine Air Conditioner Maintenance

Though spring has sprung and we are now on a countdown to summer, it is not too late to schedule routine air conditioner maintenance. Regular maintenance and checks allow your air conditioner to run smoothly, be optimized for use, and, in turn, lower your energy bills.

On top of this, with routine maintenance, you don’t have to wait until you are in the midst of a heatwave before your air conditioner breaks down! As with most things, prevention is better than cure. So, get those routine maintenance checks booked in today.

2. Test Your Air Conditioning First

Before you start taking steps to optimize your air conditioning machine, you must first test its functionality. It’s best to test your air conditioner early, prior to the summer months, so that you can book in for repairs or maintenance before a heatwave.

3. Check Your Thermostat Is Working Properly

Checking your thermostat is working accurately is a test you can do yourself at home.

If your thermostat is working properly, it should read the current temperature of your room.

If you notice any of the following, it’s likely your thermostat needs a repair or replacement:

• Your thermostat displays an empty screen (and won’t switch on) even after replacing the batteries
• Your air conditioning (or heating) won’t turn on
• Your air conditioning (or heating) won’t turn off
• Your thermostat is displaying the wrong room temperature
• Your AC is short-cycling (your HVAC is switching itself off before completing a full cycle of cooling or heating)

At ProSkill Services, we prioritize the value of programmable thermostats as they have the power to save you money on your energy bills and put your unique comfort at the forefront of temperature control. Should you need to replace your thermostat after checking whether it is responding, ProSkill Services is here to do so for you.

1. Assess The Air Flow Around Your A/C Unit

Your air conditioner requires a significant amount of space in order to accommodate airflow. At a minimum, your unit should have around 2 - 3 feet of space surrounding your air conditioner.

This airflow space allows your unit to breathe, reducing functionality problems.

If your AC unit does not have enough airflow space, the machine will need to work harder, which will be reflected in your energy bills and shorter lifespan.

2. Clean (Or Replace) Your Air Conditioner’s Filters

Inspection and care for your filters should be a priority to maintain your air conditioning unit and increase its lifespan. Not only are routine checks beneficial for your air conditioner, but they will also improve indoor air quality, making your living space’s air safer and healthier to inhale.

Make sure your air conditioner is switched off at the mains, and take a look at the filters. If you notice they are caked in dust, you will need to either clean or replace them. You should aim to care for your filters by cleaning or repairing them every six months on average.

That said, this could be more routine if you have pets, live in an area with poor air quality, suffer from respiratory conditions and allergies, and/or your air conditioning unit is old.

Due to the higher amount of use in the summer season, you may need to replace your filters more regularly. This will optimize your machine’s performance, reflected in your monthly energy bills.

1. Check Your Condenser

The condenser component of your air conditioning machine is often located outside of your home. Closely inspect the fan blades, making sure they are free to spin without any obstruction. When switched on, make note of any excessive noise or vibration. 

2. Give Your Condenser Coil A Clean

The condenser coil inside an air conditioning machine transfers hot air from inside your home to outdoors and so plays a key role in keeping your property comfortable for the summer months.

With that in mind, preparing them for significant usage will ensure your air conditioner works effectively when the humidity is high outside. If your condenser coil is covered in dirt or dust, which can gather on the coils, transferring the heat from inside to outside becomes challenging for your air conditioner.

After checking that your air conditioner is switched off entirely, you can clean your condenser coil by spraying it with a garden hose. To avoid damaging the coils, refrain from using a vacuum cleaner or brushes.

3. Remove Dirt Or Debris From Your Air Conditioning Unit

If, during the cooler months, your air conditioning unit has not been used at all, there is a good chance that it has collected dirt and debris and may be covered in leaves.

Without a clear space surrounding your air conditioning unit, the machine will have to work harder to cool down your living space. The lack of airflow can also cause your motor to burn out, leaving you without an air conditioner when you need it most.

Remove the dirt, debris, and leaves from your unit thoroughly, and give the fan blades a good wipe-over. It is also advisable that you clean your condensate drain. Without doing so, you may end up with a blockage or mold growing in damper areas.

1. Check The Cooling Power

If you have noticed a lack of cooling power from your air conditioner, take a look at your coolant lines and the insulation around them.

The coolant lines make a connection from the inside evaporator coil to the condenser unit and are responsible for cooling your home down. If leaks have occurred, your air conditioning machine can suffer from damage and cause a skyrocket to your energy bills.

To avoid this, it is best to inspect your coolant lines regularly. Look, too, for holes or cracks in your coolant lines, which indicate a coolant leak. If you spot missing or damaged insulation, you should contact a professional to repair this for you.

1. Inspect Your Blower Motor

To prepare for the heat of the summer, take a look at your blower motor now. Any evidence of burning, vibration or a malfunction will need to be addressed before use.

Your fan belt will need to be tested for any damage and will help to evaluate the air conditioner’s performance. It is critical that, if any faults are found, a professional should assess, diagnose, and repair the machine rather than aiming to do so yourself.

You should also give your blower motor a clean before summer. If the motor is blocked with dirt and debris, it will struggle to keep your home cool. To begin with, use a handheld vacuum cleaner to vacuum up the debris. Then, use a warm and damp cloth with soap to clean the blower motor itself.

Make sure all solutions are cleaned off with water before use.

2. Evaluate The Wiring And Their Connections

Do not try this at home. Wiring analysis should be conducted only by a professional and can be dangerous if you are unaware of how to inspect safely. A member of the ProSkill Services team will inspect the wiring inside your air conditioner’s panel after switching off the power. Each wire is inspected to ensure it is connected accurately. Also, verify that they’re not burnt out and unsafe for use.

3. Check Your Air Conditioner’s Safety Controls

If your machine malfunctions or overheats, your air conditioners’ safety controls keep you and your family safe. Checking they are functioning well is crucial, and should be inspected routinely, specifically in the summer months when usage is frequent.

The High Limit Control switch is the most used safety control. On your thermostat, check that this switch is adjusted and set up to avoid the dangers of overheating and that your machine will automatically power off when reaching the right temperature.

Prepare Your Air Conditioning Unit For The Heat Before Summer Arrives

It is highly likely that your air conditioner will experience the most amount of use during the summer period. To avoid not having a functioning air conditioner and needing repairs when the temperature escalates, it is best to schedule a maintenance check before the scorching summer season. Get in touch today and ProSkill Services will ensure your home provides comfort and relief this summertime.