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Now that summer is officially over, there’s no better time to begin preparing your home for the fall and winter months. In addition to cleaning your gutters and patching up any air leaks, you’ll want to get your AC unit ready for the next season before it gets chillier outside. Here are some steps you can take to maintain your unit’s condition as the temperature begins to change.

Clean Your Air Filter

Although you should be cleaning or changing your AC’s air filter on a regular basis, it’s especially important to do so in the summer when the unit is running consistently. If you haven’t given your air filter a thorough cleaning since the spring or early summer, this should be the first task on your list. Using your air conditioner regularly throughout the season will inevitably result in an accumulation of various debris in the air filters, which can block airflow and make it harder for the unit to function properly. To avoid this, clean or replace your air filter with a fresh one as soon as possible.

Clean Your Unit’s Coils and Vents

Much like the air filters, your air conditioner’s coils and vents have likely accumulated a large amount of debris in the summer. When a unit’s evaporator coil and condenser coil aren’t clean, the unit is at a higher risk of absorbing excess heat and getting damaged. On the other hand, clogged air vents can cause indoor air quality to suffer, which can make seasonal allergy symptoms worse for you and the members of your household. Cleaning the coils and clearing away any signs of buildup can assist in preventing issues associated with overheating, whereas removing debris from the unit’s vents can help sustain indoor air quality after a busy summer.

Check the Evaporator Drain

A blocked evaporator drain can lead to bigger issues if you don’t catch it in time. Mold and other types of trash can block the drain and propel flooding, water damage, and expensive repairs. Even if you don’t think there’s a problem, double checking the evaporator drain will ensure that you won’t encounter any surprises in the upcoming months. If there’s a clog in your drain, using a dry vacuum will dislodge the clog and restore your AC system.

Schedule Professional HVAC Maintenance

Scheduling maintenance for your unit is a good way to make sure all of your AC’s components are functioning optimally. It’s also a great opportunity to determine whether there are any lingering problems with your system that have gone unnoticed. If so, having those repairs done sooner rather than later will help decrease the chance of the problem getting worse as you start using the AC less in the next few months.

Ready for more information about prepping your air-conditioning for the fall? The HVAC technicians at Cox Heating & Air Conditioning provide expert advice in conjunction with a range of HVAC services including installation, maintenance, and repairs. Connect with our team to schedule services for your AC today.