How to Keep Your A/C Running Smoothly All Summer Long

Warm weather is coming and your air conditioning hasn’t been running in months. Whatever you do, DO NOT just turn it back on and hope for the best. If there are any issues with the A/C, the last thing you want is to find out about it on a 90 degree day in July.

Instead, now that spring has sprung, we recommend scheduling a spring A/C maintenance check for your heat pump. Your contractor can help you catch problems early so you don’t have to sweat over them later on in the season.

Follow these tips to keep the cool air flowing all summer long:

#1. But Seriously…Schedule Your Service Check

We recommend contracting with a trusted dealer for HVAC maintenance at least once a year. Twice is ideal—once in the spring for cooling and once in the fall for heating.

It can be easy to forget about the HVAC, we know. However, you can think of getting your unit serviced like you would getting your car inspected. A small tune-up now can make a huge difference in avoiding major, expensive repairs in the future. Contractors offer maintenance checks at relatively inexpensive prices—usually somewhere in the $69-89 range.

Need a contractor for your Bosch heat pump? Our Dealer Locator Search is a great place to start.

#2. Be Aware of Common Start-Up Issues

What can happen to outdoor air-to-air heat pumps over time, anyway? Poking around inside a unit that hasn’t been touched in months (or years) is not for the faint of heart. There could be some unwanted surprises in there that are impacting the efficiency of your unit, including:

Grass or old leaves: Old clippings and leaves from lawn maintenance can get stuck inside of your unit.
Dog fur: When your dog sheds, the fur can get sucked inside and clog up the vents.
Lint: This generally happens when the condenser coil for the HVAC is installed next to the dryer vent.
Mice and snakes: During the winter, rodents and snakes commonly hide out in HVACs in order to escape the cold. Sometimes they build nests in there. Sometimes they die in there.

Best to call in a professional.

During a spring service check, your contractor should look inside your unit for the debris and invasion of rodents mentioned above, as well as check for the following:

Examine the condenser coil to make sure it is clean: Coils often get dirty and collect debris during the winter.
Look at wiring connections: Are the connections still solid and secure, not loose?

In between service checks, it is a good idea to visibly examine the coil as needed to see if it looks like it is starting to get plugged up with lint or dirt. With regular maintenance, this issue can be caught early.

#3. Watch Out for Warning Signs

Sometimes, the heating or cooling can stop abruptly. However, there are usually some warning signs that can clue you into potential problems in between service checks. These include:

Warm air blowing or an unexplained temperature increase, even when the unit is set to cooling mode
Humidity
Weird noises
High amount of condensation
Water leaks
Bad odors

If you observe any of these issues, please don’t ignore them. Reach out to your contractor to get them checked out as soon as possible.

#4. Take Advantage of Energy Savings

On a day-to-day basis, being energy efficient is one of the best things you can do to keep your HVAC happy and healthy. Bosch geothermal heat pumps are designed to save energy, money, and reduce dependence on non-renewable natural resources. Visit our Energy Savings page to learn more about how you can reduce your carbon footprint and save money through federal, state, and local credits and incentives.

Stick to these four tips, and maintaining your A/C will be a breeze. We hope you have a great summer!

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