Summer is nearly over, and your air conditioner has been working for several months to keep your home cool. However, the season is not yet finished. The last hot days may add additional strain to an already overstrained system. A tune-up is the solution to make it through fall comfortably without any failures in your AC.

End-of-Summer AC Maintenance Checklist for Homeowners

You should not wait long before taking action for the end-of-summer AC maintenance. Your system's comfort, safety, and long-term health will all rely on the proper care of your cooling equipment before the season officially changes. This is a step-by-step checklist to help you prepare.

1. Replace Your Air Filter

The air filters are the initial barrier to dust, pollen, and airborne debris in your AC. Your system will struggle to function correctly after its filter becomes clogged due to excessive use over several months. A contaminated filter decreases efficiency, puts strain on the components, and reduces indoor air quality.

The solution is simple: change your filter once or every three months, depending on usage and family needs. Homes with pets or allergy sufferers will require more frequent cleaning. It is one of the simplest but most efficient methods to ensure that your AC works well and your family breathes cleaner air.

2. Clean Indoor Unit Coils

Cooling your evaporator coils is critical, and dust and dirt accumulate on the coils, reducing their efficiency. Coated coils prevent airflow, causing your system to use more energy, as coils coated with grime do not cool effectively.

With a can of compressed air, dust can be carefully blown off the coils, taking care not to bend the fragile fins. A professional technician can perform a more thorough cleaning during buildup. Stronger cooling performance, less wasted energy. Clean coils imply less wasted energy.

3. Tidy Up Around the Outdoor Unit

Your outdoor condenser unit needs sufficient space to operate correctly. Weeds, grass, and plants may have grown too close to your system, obstructing airflow and causing overheating during the summer.

Have a minimum of two feet of clearance on each side of the unit. Prune bushes, sweep leaves, and clear sticks or debris. To ensure proper operation, good airflow is necessary and will stop unnecessary wear and tear on your AC parts.

4. Wash the Outdoor Coils

Like indoor coils, your outdoor unit's condenser coils will become covered in dirt, pollen, and dust over time. This accumulation reduces heat transfer, so the AC has to work harder to remove hot air.

The answer is simple: spray the coils with a stream of water using a garden hose. Do not use a pressure washer, because the high-pressure water may bend the fins or break the parts. A light rinse once a season helps keep your system cool effectively without overstraining.

5. Schedule Professional Maintenance

If you did not have your annual AC tune-up done early enough in the year, now would be the day to do that. Maintenance is much more than self-service cleaning. A licensed technician can:

• Check and fix electrical connections
• Check refrigerant levels
• Wipe and clean essential parts
• Test system performance
• Identify minor problems before they get to be big repairs

A professional service will prepare your AC during the summer's final week and help avoid expensive failures when you need it most.

6. Watch for Signs of Trouble

A maintained AC system can also develop a fault. Watch out for the following red flags:

• Unusual noises like grinding, screeching, and banging
• blowing warm air through vents when set to cool
• Short cycling, which is when the unit starts and stops too often
• Vent airflow is weak
• Unusually significant increases in energy bills without a reasonable explanation
• Spillage or water collecting around the unit
• Odd smells, such as burning or mildew, from vents

If you notice any of these warning signs, do not wait. When addressed on time, you prevent the issue from deteriorating further.

7. Have Your Heating System Serviced Early

The end of summer is also an excellent time to consider some things to think about in advance. The last thing you want is to switch your thermostat to heat for the first cool night, only to find that your furnace or heat pump will not start.

Have the heating system serviced before fall arrives. This means looking for leaks, testing carbon monoxide safety, and checking proper ventilation for gas furnaces. For electric systems, inspection involves wiring, connections, and heating elements. Resolving issues now will ensure you fall onto solid ground.

8. Inspect Electrical System Readiness

Your AC requires safe and reliable electrical power. A good time to check the electrical health of your home is in late summer and fall, when storms may cause surges or outages. A licensed electrician can:

• Test your power outlet
• Check outlets and links for safety
• Ensure proper grounding
• Recommend surge protection

You should have one if you do not have a whole-home surge protector. Storm surges or power grid fluctuations can damage HVAC systems, appliances, and electronics. Surge protection will save thousands of dollars in possible repair bills with a small investment.

9. Be Ready for a Smooth Transition

Moving from summertime to fall time does not have to be stressful. If you are proactive, you can experience the peace of mind of knowing your AC, heating system, and electrical system are in good condition.

Here is a quick review to help:

• Replace your air filter
• Clean indoor coils
• Wash outdoor coils
• Get professional AC maintenance done.
• Watch for trouble signs
• Getting the heating system ready in advance
• Inspect the electrical system

Conclusion

Please do not leave your AC and home systems alone as the hot season ends. A little extra care at the end of the summer leads to fewer surprises later on and more comfort during changing weather conditions.

If you are a homeowner in Maryland or anywhere else where summer heat can put your AC to the test, getting your AC professionally serviced is the best thing you can do today. Contact Riley Heat & Air for the service you need now!