Spring is here and summer is right around the corner. That means you will soon fire up your air conditioner in the hopes of having cool, comfortable days even in the midst of a Jersey Shore heat wave. In most cases, that will go smoothly and your A/C will fire up without a hitch.

But as we all know, life has a tendency to throw us curveballs.

In order to better your chances of avoiding expensive repairs or replacement, here are some simple ways we can prep your A/C for summer (and a few ways you can help) to ensure you enjoy life at the Jersey Shore even when it’s sweltering hot outside.

• Remove Any Debris – This is one you can (and should) do yourself. Check the area around your air conditioning unit and remove any debris from it (fallen leaves, etc.), especially if they are blocking any portion of the unit. Left unchecked, these seemingly small issues can turn into big problems, especially if debris gathers near your condenser coils.
• Change Your Air Filters – This is also one you should be handling. Every three months or so, change the air filters in your home. Pollen, dust, and other contaminants can accumulate, causing your A/C to run less efficiently (therefore costing you money) and spreading that dust and pollen throughout your home (which has potential health negatives).
• Clean Your Condenser Coils – During a spring check up or maintenance call, cleaning your coils is an important part of ensuring the unit will function efficiently through the summer.
• Lubricate Any Moving Parts – Much like any piece of machinery, your air conditioning unit has moving parts that need to be lubricated to protect them from wear and tear. Let this go undone for too long and you run the risk of shortening the lifespan of your unit.
• Clear The Drain Line – Draining the line is a simple but essential way of ensuring your A/C remains in good running order.
• Check Your Coolant Lines – It goes without saying that if your coolant lines aren’t in good working order, your air conditioner won’t be, either. We’ll ensure they are free of leaks, worn lines are replaced, and existing lines have adequate insulation.

Ensuring these basic steps are done is simple and affordable, and will be an essential part of being sure your unit operates efficiently for as long as possible.

Nothing lasts forever, of course. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a central air unit that is 10 years old could operate with 20 to 40 percent less efficiency than a newer model – and that’s a lack of efficiency you will feel in your energy bills.

Some of this can be mitigated by making your home more energy efficient. Modern insulation, new windows and doors, and other upgrades can help offset some of those increases.

But the truth is that you will eventually need to replace your A/C unit.

When that time comes, reach out to Toms River Heating and Cooling. We are a family owned and operated HVAC service who have been serving the Ocean and Monmouth county area since 1970. Reach us at 732-244-2880 or visit our contact page to send us an email.