Know what your air conditioner can do. Air conditioners can normally keep your home 20 degrees cooler than outside. This means that if it’s 100 outside, you should expect your system to get your home down to about 80 degrees.

It is easier for your air conditioner to cool your home if you set it on a moderate temperature all day instead of leaving it off while you’re at work. If you only turn it on when you get home, it will struggle to cool your home because the temperature will have risen too much.

Check the thermostat batteries and replace them.

Remove any covers and clear obstructions to the vents before starting the system for the first time.

Change your system’s air filter. A dirty filter significantly reduces the efficiency of your air conditioner. Be sure to buy a filter of the same size; the size should be on the filter and you can bring the old filter into the store to make sure you’re buying a properly-sized replacement.

Give your air conditioner a test run before it starts getting really hot outside.

If the air conditioner won’t turn on at all, it is likely an electrical issue. Reset circuit breakers and GFCIs before reporting the problem.

If warm air blows, check your Freon levels. A low Freon level may be the reason for insufficient cooling, but keep in mind the 20-degree limit air conditioner systems have.

If you notice any problems with your air conditioner, please notify us as soon as possible, because technicians will be busy this summer. Please use your online portal to report any concerns to us. Please be as descriptive as you can. Indicate what temperatures you are experiencing inside and out, whether the system turns on at all, whether you have replaced the thermostat batteries and air filter, and what troubleshooting steps you have already followed. If you do not have an active online portal, please let us know.

Routine maintenance on your air conditioner is the key to a consistently cool summer and helps you avoid going without cool air while waiting for a handyman to handle basic maintenance. Take charge of your summer and give some love to your air conditioner!