How to Prepare Your AC for Summer

03/11/2023
A broken air conditioner is the last thing you need on a sweltering day. In Tennessee, the transition into warm weather comes quickly, and you don’t want to be unprepared. Use these tips to prepare your AC for summer and help
Woman holding controller to change AC tempature

Replace Your Air Filter

Spring is a crucial time to replace your dirty, clogged air filters. Between seasonal pollen and the upcoming summer heat, staying on top of your air filter is vital. AC air filters trap unwanted and harmful airborne particles to keep them from circulating through your home. Over time, the filter becomes blocked with particulate matter, preventing fresh air from entering.

When replacing your filter, turn the unit off first. Open your unit’s vent, remove the used filter, and dispose of it. Install the new filter, ensuring the airflow arrows point toward the HVAC unit. Then, just close the vent, and you’re finished! And if you don’t want to do it yourself, Chancey & Reynolds’ NATE-certified technicians perform regular HVAC maintenance, including air filter replacement.

Program Your Thermostat

To get your AC summer-ready, program your thermostat to your summer schedule. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re at home and 88 degrees Fahrenheit when you’re away. These temperature settings help you save money and energy.

A programmable thermostat, also known as a smart thermostat, helps lower your energy usage by implementing cost-cutting habit changes. It’s enabled by Wi-Fi and automatically adjusts your home’s temperature settings for optimal performance. HVAC-certified professionals like Chancey & Reynolds make installing smart thermostats easy!

Clean Your Indoor Unit

What comes before summer? Spring cleaning! Air conditioner coil cleaning removes the debris that attaches to the AC’s evaporator coils over time. To clean the indoor portion of your air conditioning system, start by turning off the circuit breaker to avoid electrical issues or injuries. Remove the access panel to access the evaporator coils and clean them with a foaming cleanser designed specifically for the coils.

AC coil cleaning makes a huge difference for your HVAC system. Even the slightest buildup of dirt and grime that collects on them dramatically reduces your system’s efficiency. Cleaning your indoor AC unit helps lengthen its lifespan and lower your energy bills.

Clean Your Outdoor Unit

Once you’ve cleaned your indoor AC, it’s time to move on to the outdoor HVAC system. Dust and debris collecting on the outdoor unit stress the system, making it work harder than it should. Start by removing the AC grille. Next, you can use your hands or a vacuum to remove leaves and other debris from the unit. Take a hose and wash out dirt and buildup from the fins. Along with regular HVAC maintenance, keeping your indoor and outdoor units clean improves performance and energy efficiency. 

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Your HVAC system has many different parts. They must function properly for your air conditioning to run efficiently and keep you comfortable during the summer. Without regular professional HVAC maintenance from certified technicians, minor issues can turn into significant problems.

Chancey & Reynolds maintenance plans help you extend the life of your heating and cooling hardware. Our HVAC specialists help reduce your utility bills with proactive service that keeps your system running smoothly.

As a Comfort Club member, your calls and services get priority status. You also receive a discount on parts and labor for any service and are never charged for overtime. Our HVAC maintenance agreement includes two annual visits: air conditioning service in the spring and heating service in the fall.

HVAC Savings for Knoxville and Lenoir City

Our NATE-certified HVAC technicians provide professional energy assessments to determine your unique needs and offer honest advice and recommendations. Our special financing options for qualified individuals make purchasing the HVAC products and services you need now easy and pay over time. Call us to see why Greater Knoxville and Lenoir City home and business owners have trusted us for over 40 years.