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7 Things To Check Before Turning Your AC On For The First Time

As the temperatures begin to rise over the spring and summer, it’ll soon be hot enough to consider turning on your air conditioner. Because it has been some time since you turned on your air conditioner, it will require some attention to make sure that your unit is in tip-top shape.

Before you turn on your air conditioner for the first time this season, check the following:  

Is there any damage to your thermostat? If so, you might want to consider an energy-efficient programmable thermostat to maintain your home at a comfortable temperature while saving money on utilities.

Check thermostat positioning with an expert HVAC technician too. Your thermostat should be placed 150 centimeters above the ground, away from heat sources such as a sunny window, a stove, etc.  

2. Condenser

Your air conditioner’s external condenser unit has remained inactive for months—and in the middle of a Canadian winter! As a result, leaves, dirt, and other debris may have clogged the AC. For this reason, the condenser has to be cleaned and discharged of any extra water.  

3. Circuit Board

Last fall, you may have turned off the circuit breaker for your outside unit. You’ll need to turn it on again this spring, ideally 24 hours before using your air conditioning for the first time.

If you want to turn it on yourself, you can. However, if you notice an issue with the circuit or aren’t sure which control is for the outside unit, contact one of our professionals for air conditioning service in Barrie and surrounding areas today!  

4. Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils are responsible for eliminating heat from the air entering your air conditioning system. It’s essential to have the coils cleaned at least once a year; otherwise, they waste energy and produce problems like a constantly running air conditioner

5. Refrigerant Level

Another important component of prepping your air conditioner for the season includes checking the refrigerant level, which is the fluid that evaporates and condenses during the cooling cycle. Your AC’s refrigerant level will drop if there’s a leak somewhere in the system. So before the refrigerant is topped off, the leak must be fixed. 

6. Air Filter

Double check the filter before turning on your air conditioner for the season. To allow proper airflow, the air filter must be cleaned and unclogged. We recommend inspecting your air filters every 30 days if you use your central heating and cooling system regularly. At a minimum, change the filter once every three months; clean it if you use the permanent type. 

7. Blower

The blades of the blower fan should be swept and then wiped clean. After that, tighten the mounting nuts and grease the motor if necessary. 

Then you’ll want to turn on your air conditioner to test that everything is working properly. Give it a few minutes to listen for any unexpected sounds. If you hear something unusual, and you live in Barrie, contact us for air conditioning service today!

Or if you notice that the system is not cooling off quickly, even though it looks to be operating normally, you should have the coolant levels checked by a specialist.

Our team of specialists at Martino HVAC provides the best HVAC services like heater repair, AC replacement, and air conditioning installation in Barrie. Book an appointment now!