Airplane pilots know that going through a pre-flight checklist can keep them from crashing and burning.
Likewise, going through this simple pre-season checklist with your AC can keep your system from crashing and burning when the weather heats up.
• Make sure nothing is blocking the airflow around the unit. Clean away leaves and debris. Remove any winter coverings. But if you decide to open the unit, remember to disconnect the power.
• Check/replace the batteries.
• Check/replace the air filter. Dirty filters cause a host of problems. They slow your system down, make it less efficient, lead to more repairs, and shorten the life of your equipment.
• Test-drive your system while it's still mild. If you wait until it's hot to crank up your AC, and then it breaks down, you'll be uncomfortable waiting for service. Do a test run of your system before summer.
Your AC contractor will probably be happy to help you out with any of these things--but he'll have to charge you. And the truth is, you can do these things yourself and cut down on repair costs.
Remember that airplane pilot: he never skips the pre-flight checklist.
Likewise, going through this simple pre-season checklist with your AC can keep your system from crashing and burning when the weather heats up.
• Make sure nothing is blocking the airflow around the unit. Clean away leaves and debris. Remove any winter coverings. But if you decide to open the unit, remember to disconnect the power.
• Check/replace the batteries.
• Check/replace the air filter. Dirty filters cause a host of problems. They slow your system down, make it less efficient, lead to more repairs, and shorten the life of your equipment.
• Test-drive your system while it's still mild. If you wait until it's hot to crank up your AC, and then it breaks down, you'll be uncomfortable waiting for service. Do a test run of your system before summer.
Your AC contractor will probably be happy to help you out with any of these things--but he'll have to charge you. And the truth is, you can do these things yourself and cut down on repair costs.
Remember that airplane pilot: he never skips the pre-flight checklist.
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