HVAC

When to Service Your Air Conditioner (and Why Before the Heat)

Air conditioners fail on the hottest day of the year — because that's when they're working hardest. A little spring attention prevents most of it.

When to do it

Have your AC professionally serviced once a year, ideally in spring before the first heat wave. Book early: once temperatures spike, HVAC companies are booked solid and you'll wait days in the heat.

What a tune-up includes

• Cleaning the outdoor condenser coil so it can shed heat.
• Checking refrigerant charge and looking for leaks.
• Testing the capacitor and electrical connections.
• Clearing the condensate drain so it doesn't back up.

What you can do yourself

1. 1Replace or clean the air filter.
2. 2Gently rinse the outdoor unit's fins with a hose (power off first).
3. 3Clear leaves and debris from around the condenser — give it 2 feet of clearance.
4. 4Make sure the condensate drain line is flowing.

Stay ahead of it

Add your AC to Upkeepery and it schedules the annual service and the filter swaps automatically, reminding you in spring — before the rush and before the heat.