2 Reasons to Turn On Your AC Unit Early This Year

Since running your air conditioning unit can use extra energy, many homeowners wait until they can’t stand the heat any longer to switch on their AC unit. Unfortunately, this practice can cause a long list of problems, especially since most HVAC businesses experience an uptick in service calls during those first few hot weeks of summer.

Here are two reasons to turn on your AC unit a little early this year and why you won’t regret being proactive later.

1. Take It for a Test Run 

Winters can be long, and it can be easy to forget that strange noise your air conditioner made right before you turned off the unit during fall. By turning your air conditioner on before the hottest part of the summer, you will have the chance to listen to your unit and evaluate how the system responds — before the lack of an air conditioner makes your home virtually unlivable.

During test runs, be on the lookout for symptoms of a damaged air conditioning unit, such as strange noises or smells emanating from your air conditioner or air handler. Pay attention to whether or not air flows from all of your vents and into air returns. To test vents, consider tying a light string or piece of crepe paper to the vents to see if you can detect air movement.

Whether you spot issues or simply have a bad feeling about your dated air conditioner, have a professional HVAC team come out to give your system a tune-up before heavy-use months. During these inspections, professionals will look for a long list of issues, including compressor problems, clogs in refrigerant lines, problems with the shutdown cycle, and even damaged components that could disrupt airflow.

Addressing these concerns early can help to extend the life of your air conditioner, while simultaneously preventing AC-related emergencies during the hottest parts of the year.

2. Halt Humidity and Improve Air Quality 

When your air conditioner is off, humidity can build in your home in a hurry, especially if you live where the outdoor weather is especially damp. Humidity can cause a long list of issues ranging from increasing the heat index inside of your home to allowing mold and mildew to grow on walls and windows, which is why many homeowners opt for turning on their AC unit before it becomes a problem.

In fact, the first air conditioners were designed to remove humidity. As heated air moves across cooling coils, the humidity gathers and drops into the air conditioning pan, where it can drain away. In addition to keeping the air inside of your home dry, many people find that running their air conditioner also has the added bonus of halting indoor allergies, since air is drier and less capable of fueling mildew growth.

Additionally, as your air conditioner runs, the air in your home travels through filters, where fine particulates are trapped. The result is improved air quality that lends itself to more comfortable living, especially if you have seasonal allergies.

If you are concerned about humidity or you have allergies, consider switching on your air conditioner sooner rather than later. In addition to keeping your indoor air clean, you might also notice less dusting and sneezing.

When you are ready to shift away from heating and towards summertime air conditioning, give us a call here at Lakeside Heating & Air Conditioning. Since 1971, our team has been committed to offering the best air conditioning installation in Denver and air conditioning repair in Denver to our clients and making spaces more comfortable. Learn why so many of our customers are repeat business by giving us a call today.