Getting central air ready before the first hot week in the Upstate

In the Upstate, the first hot week tends to show up before anybody is ready for it. One afternoon the house is comfortable with the windows open, and a few days later the air conditioner has to carry the whole load. If something is wrong with it, you find out at the worst possible time, and every heating and cooling company in the area has a full schedule. A little attention early makes that first stretch of heat a lot calmer.

Start with the filter and the airflow

The easiest step with the biggest payoff is the filter. A dirty filter chokes airflow, makes the system work harder, and can let the indoor coil freeze in cooling mode. Check it at the start of the season and replace it if it looks gray and matted. Then walk through the house and make sure the supply and return vents are open and nothing is blocking them. A sofa pushed against a return grille or a rug folded over a floor vent is more common than you would think.

Look at the thermostat too. Replace the batteries if it uses them, set it to Cool, and set the temperature a few degrees below the room reading so the system starts. Listen for the indoor blower, and for the outdoor unit to follow shortly after. Test it on a warm afternoon rather than a chilly morning, since air conditioners are not designed to run when it is cold outside.

Clear the ground around the outdoor unit

Over the winter, an outdoor condenser collects leaves, pine needles, grass clippings and sometimes fallen branches. The unit needs air moving through its coil to shed heat, and a blanket of debris cuts that flow. Turn the power off at the disconnect box near the unit before you touch anything. Then clear loose debris from the top and sides, trim back shrubs and vines, and keep the space around the cabinet open. A common rule of thumb is to leave a couple of feet of clearance on every side and plenty of room above the fan, but check your unit's manual for the exact figure.

Resist the urge to blast the fins with a pressure washer. The thin aluminum fins bend easily, and bent fins block air as surely as leaves do. A soft brush and a gentle spray from a garden hose is the most a homeowner should attempt. If the fins look packed with cottonwood fluff or dirt, a technician can clean the coil properly. It is also worth a glance to see that the unit still sits level on its pad and has not tilted after a wet winter.

Signs your system needs a check-up

Some problems announce themselves early. If you notice any of the following when you test the system, it is a good reason to call before the heat arrives:

• Warm air from the vents when the thermostat is calling for cooling.
• Ice on the copper line or on the outdoor unit.
• Water pooling near the indoor unit, which can mean a clogged condensate drain.
• Grinding, squealing or rattling sounds.
• A burning smell when the system starts.
• Rooms that never cool down while others are fine.

Waiting usually turns a small problem into a failed part at the worst time. Calling in spring, when schedules are lighter, gives you more choice about when the visit happens.

What a spring check-up looks at

An AC check-up puts a trained set of eyes on parts you cannot see or reach safely. In general, a technician inspects electrical connections and capacitors, looks at the condition of the indoor and outdoor coils, checks the condensate drain, measures airflow and refrigerant operating readings, and confirms the thermostat is controlling the system correctly. Catching a weakening capacitor or a slow drain before summer is the whole point.

The check-up is also a good moment to ask honest questions about an older system. If the technician finds trouble that goes beyond a small repair, you will have time to consider your options, including a new system, before the hottest days arrive instead of in the middle of them.

Johnson Heating & Air Conditioning lists AC check-ups among its services, along with residential and commercial air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance programs. The company has served the Spartanburg area for over 28 years. To schedule a visit before the heat arrives, call (864) 579-3247. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and emergency service is available after hours and weekends.