Is Your A/C Ready for the Heat?

Written on: May 2, 2022

Steps To Prepare Your Home Cooling System

As someone who lives in Central Massachusetts or Southern New Hampshire, you’ve paid your dues this winter. Now that spring is here and the weather is warming up, it’s a good time to think ahead to the summer and make sure your AC will be able to keep you and your family cool no matter how hot it gets.

First of all, do you know how old your AC is? If the answer is 15 years or older, it’s time to think about replacement. Why? Even if you think your unit is still keeping it cool, old ACs can have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) rating as low as 6. Newer models have a SEER rating of 15 or higher. That difference adds up to hundreds of dollars spent or saved on your cooling bills during just one season. So investing in a new unit now, will save you money in the long run.

Brideu Energy sells and installs high-efficiency, ultra-quiet air conditioning systems. Not sure which system is right for you? One of our cooling experts will evaluate your needs and design the best system for your home so that you’ll always be cool—even on the hottest days.

How To Prepare Your Air Conditioner

Is your AC ready for the hot days ahead? Now is the best time to find out. Here are some tips for checking and prepping your AC this spring:

1. Check the thermostat. Simply put, your thermostat is the brain of your HVAC system. If it’s not working well, nothing else will either. Now is a good time to replace the batteries. And if you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, you should consider investing in one. Programmable thermostats are a simple and cost-effective ways to manage your summer cooling bills.
2. Check your vents. Makes sure nothing will block the cool air coming out of your vents (e.g., drapes, curtains, furniture, etc.).
3. Check your ductwork. If you have a duct leak, you could lose up to 15% of the air your unit has cooled. Seal up any obvious leaks and fix out-of-place duct joints in exposed ductwork areas. If your cooling system is more than 5 years old, you should invest in professional duct sealing. Some leaks are either too small to see or are out of sight and behind walls.
4. Clear the drain line. This will ensure that water won’t get diverted back into your home or toward your foundation.
5. Check your AC filter. Blockages will adversely affect your air filter’s efficiency, and a chronically blocked AC filter could cause your cooling system to fail. You should make a habit of checking your air filter monthly. Replace it (or clean it if you have a model that can be cleaned) as needed.
6. Check your electrical lines. Wiring problems could cause you to lose power to your AC. Check all electrical connections and circuit breakers now.
7. Clean the outdoor condenser unit. Check for debris like leaves, twigs, and nests. Your condenser unit should never be covered when it is in use. There needs to be adequate airflow throughout the entire home cooling system chain.

Once you start using your AC, check for signs of a refrigerant leak such as poor cooling, ice on the evaporator coils, and fluid spots near your AC condenser.

Professional A/C Maintenance

Preventative maintenance is the best way to make sure that your AC is prepared for the hot weather ahead. With regular tune-ups and maintenance, your system will run at maximum efficiency, thereby reducing your cooling costs. In addition, maintenance makes it more likely to catch small problems like minor wear and tear before they become bigger (and more expensive) problems.

Here’s what to expect when Brideau Energy provides a tune-up for your cooling system. Our skilled technician will do the following:

• Clean the evaporator coil.
• Inspect refrigerant levels and pressure.
• Lubricate the fan motor and other moving parts.
• Inspect the condenser-fan motor and blades.
• Inspect and clean the condenser.
• Check all electrical contacts, capacitors, and wiring.
• Check the compressor connection and current.

Brideau is the smart choice.

At Brideau Energy, the comfort of your home is our priority. We have served the residents of Central Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire since 1987. Whether you need an AC installed, repaired, or tuned-up, you can count on us. And be sure to ask about money-saving rebates and financing for energy-efficient improvements.

Contact Brideau Energy today. We’ll keep you cool!