We’re springing through May and hurtling toward June in the midst of a certifiably crazy year. A lot has changed, but two things are still the same: it’s going to get hot, and you’re going to need air conditioning.
Let’s take a look at how your spring checkup will work – including why you should schedule it now, what should be checked, and how we’ll administer service during this time of the coronavirus.
There are two reasons why now is the perfect time to schedule your service checkup.
First, the warm weather hasn’t fully hit yet, which means that your AC system probably isn’t being heavily taxed (if you’ve turned it on at all yet). While you can certainly turn your systems on without having them checked beforehand, scheduling maintenance can ensure that you avoid major issues when you do hit the switch.
Second, there is a wave of appointments on the horizon in early June. People have (understandably) been slower to schedule service this year as they look to stay at home and adhere to social distancing guidelines. But appointments are starting to be set, and we are looking at being heavily booked up in late spring and early summer.
It’s going to be hard to find timeslots for everyone, and the reality is that some checkups may be delayed. To ensure that your service happens in a timely manner, the time to schedule is now.
When you schedule your spring checkup, you’ll get one of our expert technicians out to review the essential components of your unit and make sure your AC is ready to run.
Here’s what you’ll have checked:
Thermostat. We’ll review your controller to make sure it’s functioning correctly and that your settings are effective.
Coils. Your air conditioner’s coils allow compressed cooling chemicals to evaporate from liquid to gas, absorbing heat in the process. They’re an essential part of an effective system. We’ll check their functionality, making sure they’re clean and not obscured.
Drain lines. We’ve seen this a few too many times: homeowners don’t have their system checked before they turn on the air conditioning. They run the AC for an interval of time without realizing the drain line is leaking, and it quickly causes expensive water damage. Checking your drain lines before you turn your unit on can ensure this doesn’t happen.
Blower motor. The blower motor is the engine of the unit. Running a motor with an issue can make the issue worse. We’ll check to make sure it’s ready to do its job.
Cabinet. There’s a chance you may have acquired some uninvited guests in your AC unit’s cabinet during the winter; these enclosed spaces can be appealing hideaways for animals. We’ve opened cabinet doors during spring checkups to find everything from squirrels to snakes. If these critters aren’t cleared out before the systems are turned on – well, let’s just say it’s not a good situation, for you or for them.
Air filters. Air filters should be changed at least every three months – we recommend every one or two if you have kids or pets. We’ll check to make sure that your filter is good to go.
Ducts. We’ll check to make sure that your ducts are clean, and we’ll also make sure that they’re not blocked by any new carpet or furniture. We’ve seen new carpets – put in over the winter – placed over vents, cutting off airflow and leading units to breakdown.
Refrigerant levels. Finally, we’ll check your refrigerant levels, making sure that your system is filled up to run through the heat of the summer.
As we check your system, we’ll be diligent about maintaining safety. As an essential business, we’ve been operating during the entire pandemic season, and we’re proud to report that we’ve been able to keep our customers and team healthy. We have experience in doing this effectively.
When our technicians visit your home, they’ll be wearing CDC-approved masks. They’ll be decked out in full personal protective equipment (PPE), including gloves and boot coverings. And they’ll be using plenty of hand sanitizer. Back at the office, we’re sanitizing everything regularly, too.
A checkup only requires about 15 minutes of in-home inspection. This includes looking at the drain lines, blower motor, air filters, and thermostat. If you’d prefer not to have a technician enter your home, we can skip those items – although, if we do, we won’t be able to speak for their effectiveness in the event of an issue.
Our goal in all of this is to keep your home as safe and comfortable as possible.
We don’t know everything that the future holds – and wow, that statement feels more pertinent this year than ever before. But we do know that summer is coming. Ensure that your air conditioning is ready to go by scheduling your spring checkup today.
Get in touch with us online or at (301) 638-8348. Our promise, as always, is that you can trust your home to us.
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