Are You Ready to Stay Cool This Summer?

Here are a few things you can do to get your air conditioner or evaporative cooler ready for the summer heat.

As Colorado swings into summer, and the temperature rises, make sure your air conditioner or swamp cooler is ready to keep you cool this summer. Your equipment may have been working perfectly last season, but now that it has sat for the winter, you may no longer have a perfectly working system. Just like other household appliances, your A/C or Evaporative Cooler will run more efficiently if cleaned and maintained regularly. Here are some of the maintenance basics homeowners can easily do before, after, and mid-season.

Air Conditioning

Change the filters
First on the maintenance list for an A/C system is changing the air filter. This task varies depending upon the home and the equipment. If you have one or more filter grills, (or return air ducts), it is fairly easy to remove the grill, pull the filter out and replace it. If the filter is not located at the grill, then the filter is most likely near the unit itself. On a horizontal HVAC unit, (most often used in a large attic or basement) the filter will be in a slide located in the ductwork or on the return side of the unit. On a vertical unit, (generally used for smaller crawl spaces) the filter typically slides into a slot above or below the HVAC unit. If you cannot find a filter in either of these locations, you should consider calling an HVAC professional. At this point, if the filters have never been replaced, your coil will most likely be quite dirty and will require proper cleaning.

Clean the drain
The drain line, usually PVC pipe, which drains the condensation from your unit to the outside of your home, should be cleaned regularly. Most drain lines have a T-shaped vent with a cover or cap for easy access. Once located, inspect the drain pipe for any blockages, then pour about 1/2 cup of vinegar, peroxide, or just hot soapy water to clean the pipe and kill any mold or mildew. Flushing out the drain line once a month during high season use will help keep things flowing and operating correctly.

Clean the outdoor unit
For your outdoor unit to effectively expel the heat from your home, it needs to be clean and free of dust and debris. All season long, outdoor units tend to collect pine needles, leaves, and cotton (if you have cottonwood trees nearby) and fill up with dust. Homeowners can clean the outdoor coil on an A/C unit easily. Take your garden hose and spray the coil from the outside. Make sure to go slow, take your time, and work side to side and up and down.

Remove any debris and inspect the unit.
Clear any leaves, pine needles, and other debris away from the unit. Your outdoor unit needs space to pull air through the coil to work correctly. Once the debris is cleared, you can inspect the concrete or composite pad underneath and look for any cracks or other damage. Check that the copper line is insulated and that there is no damage or excessive oil around the fittings. Inspect the wires going to your unit, but don’t touch any wires without first turning the power off.

Check your ductwork
If you can access your ductwork, give it a quick visual inspection to ensure no animals have torn up your duct lines. It is also helpful to check it with the fan on, to help identify any gaps or holes in the central duct with excessive air leakage.

Evaporative Coolers
Swamp coolers (or evaporative coolers) work differently than a standard air conditioner, so getting it ready to run for summer will require different steps.

Uncover
First, you will need to remove the cover from your swamp cooler and inspect the cover. If it is damaged, it might consider purchasing a new one for next winter. If it is still in good shape, put it away until next time.

Clean the unit
To get into the Evaporative Cooler, remove the three outer grills. Usually, these are held in place with clips, making them easy to remove quickly. With the covers off, you will be able to examine the unit to see what needs to be cleaned or fixed. If the unit was properly covered and protected all winter, it shouldn’t be very dirty. If the cover was left off all winter, then you might need to clean leaves and pine needles out and remove dust and dirt with some mild soap and water. A descaling agent will be an excellent option to use in the pan to eliminate all the mineral scaling and build-up. You want to make sure that everything is clean and ready for use.

Replace the cooling pads
The filters, or cooling pads of a swamp cooler, are typically replaced once a year. This should be completed either at the beginning or end of the summer season. So, if you did not change your cooling pads during the de-winterization process, now will be an excellent time to change them.

Reconnect the water line
You will need to connect your water line because, more than likely, you disconnected your water lines during the de-winterization process. You will also want to check that the drain plug is secure to ensure there will not be any water leaks.

Inspect for leaks
Turn the water on and make sure that there are no water leaks. Generally, a water leak will be evident due to water spraying out of the hole. But give it a thorough examination to be sure. This is also an excellent time to check for excessive rust and other possible damage.

Run a system check
Lubricate the motor, and make sure that it is spinning freely. Turn on the water source, and fill the tank. Inspect the water pump and make sure the water is flowing to sufficiently wet the cooling pads. Check that the thermostat is turning the unit on and off perfectly. Turn your swamp cooler on, and make sure that it is running correctly and that the cooler is achieving the desired temperature. Replace the side grills and leave the unit on if it’s a warm day, and enjoy the cool air.

There are many things that the average homeowner can do to ensure that their HVAC will work when the warm weather strikes. However, if your unit is giving you issues, you have electrical concerns, or you notice any damage during your inspection, call a professional. This will keep you out of harm’s way and ensure everything is fixed and maintained properly. Keeping your A/C or Evaporative Cooler in good shape will extend the lifespan of the unit and ensure it works effectively and efficiently all summer long.