6 AC Maintenance Tips for Snowbirds
Emily Welcome back to Florida, Snowbirds! We’re glad you’re here. Now that you’ve returned to your Florida vacation home, it’s important to make sure your AC system is working at top energy efficiency. Although Florida stays fairly warm during the winter season, extreme weather fluctuations can still occur. In order to maintain a comfortable temperature in your vacation home, you will need your AC and heating system to be energy efficient throughout the months of your stay. Taking the proper measures for your vacation home AC maintenance, will be necessary to ensure home comfort and low energy bills.
To prevent mold and dust build-up, many snowbirds leave their air conditioner running throughout the months they are away. This means your vacation home HVAC system is due for AC maintenance. Here are six AC maintenance tips for snowbirds:
1. Change Your AC filter
For your vacation home ac maintenance, this is what you need to do first: change the filter when you arrive and change it every month during your stay. Dirt accumulation, heat and humidity can cause mildew and mold growth, which can ultimately spread through your entire home. When the ac filters become dirty and clogged, air flow is disrupted and does not cool your home efficiently. This means the AC system has to work harder, which results in high energy bills and even damage to your HVAC system.
2. Change The Thermostat Batteries
Depending on how long you were away, your thermostat batteries may need to be replaced. Switch out the old batteries in the thermostat with new ones.
3. Check Your AC Settings For The Vacation Home
Make sure your thermostat is set to “COOL” and the fan is set to “AUTO.” Then set the temperature a few degrees cooler than the current room temperature. In 3-5 minutes, you should hear your unit’s fan turn on. If it doesn’t, give us a call.
4. Inspect The Ductwork
Inspect your home’s ductwork for leaks. If you are able to access your attic safely, check and see if there are any openings in the protective coating of the ductwork. Make sure to also look for exposed insulation, uneven or flattened areas.
5. Inspect The Condenser
The condenser is the part of your air conditioning system that is outside of your home. Go outside and inspect the condenser to make sure it isn’t clogged with leaves, dirt and other debris that can often get caught in the condenser fins. Before doing any maintenance to the condenser, disconnect the power supply. If the condenser fins become clogged, the airflow is blocked and this lowers the unit’s cooling capability. You can easily clean the outside of the condenser to free it from dirt and debris by simply spraying it down with a garden hose.
6. Schedule Annual HVAC Maintenance
Even if you haven’t encountered any issues with your air conditioner unit, it is still a good idea to schedule regular preventative maintenance. Annual maintenance of your unit ensures that it is in optimal condition and ready to be used for the season.
Contact A+ Air Conditioning for AC Maintenance in Gainesville
At A+ Air Conditioning, we provide a thorough inspection of your HVAC system and all of its components. By maintaining your system on a yearly basis, you will avoid big and expensive replacement bills! To schedule your annual maintenance, give us a call at 352-374-4988.