It’s the end of April, and in Myrtle Beach that means everything is seeing a bit more traffic and usage: golf courses, beaches, restaurants and roadways. It also means your air conditioning unit is about to see some more usage, too. The average high temperature for April along the Grand Strand is a comfortable 72, but heading into May those thermostats will creep steadily to 80 during daytime highs. In preparation for the workout your AC unit may have this summer, it’s a great time to do some basic inspection and testing to be sure all is working properly.
Test Your System
The first thing to do is to turn the cool air on if it is not currently running. On a warm summer day you may elect to turn the thermostat to a cooler setting, or open windows to warm the house and see if it switches on automatically. You’ll want to run your unit for at least 30 minutes to make sure your home or office is actually cooling and not just blowing warm air.
As rooms are cooling, walk around your home or office and feel the vents to make sure they are blowing cold. This is also a great time to replace air filters and check the rest of your thermostats to make sure they are functioning properly.
Inspect the Outside of Your Unit
After turning on the cold air and checking vents, head outside to visually inspect the unit on the side of your home or workplace. Make sure the area is clear of loose debris like dried grasses, weeds or any other natural or synthetic material that could get lodged in your system. If needed, gently rinse off any remaining debris with a garden hose. Many homes may have a drainage pipe to expel excess water located near the unit. Take a look to make sure the drainage is free from obstruction and is not blocked by debris.
Taking a few minutes to test your AC unit and do some simple visual inspections can help you get ready for summer’s heavy usage. If you notice that something is not working, call Cooper and let us take care of it for you.
If everything is working properly, take steps to make sure it stays that way. Cooper Mechanical Services offer annual Service and Clean contracts to help you keep your HVAC unit clean and running properly. New units and major repairs can be costly and frustrating, especially during the middle of July in South Carolina. Call Cooper before the real hot weather arrives to schedule service and maintenance.