Winding Down Your A/C For Fall: 7 Maintenance Tips

Summer is winding down fast here in Sudbury, Ontario.

In fact, we’ve already got several calls for furnace tune-ups - it’s not even September yet!

In Northern Ontario, homeowners know cold weather can come anytime - usually without much warning. One week you’re enjoying 25-degree weather. The next, there’s frost on the ground!

While we love the enthusiasm of you fall lovers, we have one important recommendation to make:

Before you prep your furnace for fall, it’s important to get your A/C back in shape.

Your air conditioner has worked hard all summer long. Those humid, 30+ days no doubt took a toll on your system.

Giving your A/C some proper fall maintenance can help,

1. Ensure it’s ready to start up again next year.
2. Improve cooling performance and efficiency, and
3. Extend your system’s lifespan.

While pushing off this chore until it’s necessary may seem easier, our experts say otherwise.

The better you care for your A/C system now, the less hassle it’ll give you later. It’ll last longer and provide better, more efficient cooling. So you can save on repairs and cooling bills!

Not sure where to get started? We’ve listed our top fall A/C maintenance tips below:

Listen In

One of the first things we do during any maintenance trip is to listen carefully to the HVAC system.

Our trained experts listen to and identify particular A/C sounds. In some cases, we can even tell you exactly what part needs attention based solely on the sound we hear!

We’ve listed a few of these common A/C sounds below:

Banging

A banging sound typically means there’s a problem with your compressor. As your A/C ages, it’s common for parts within your compressor to become loose.

Screeching

The common culprit for a screeching sound in your A/C is a malfunctioning/broken fan motor.

Buzzing

The reason for a buzzing air conditioner is a little harder to narrow down. Some of the potential issues could include:

• Unbalanced fan blades
• Faulty fan motor
• Dirty condenser coils
• Loose parts
• Obstruction
• Refrigerant leak

While most of the above issues are harmless, others pose a health risk. One of these is a refrigerant leak. If you suspect a dangerous leak, we encourage you to call your Campeau technicians!

Let It Breathe

This is something we recommend doing throughout the summer months. But we understand that it’s an easy one to forget!

Can you guess what it is?

Cleaning the grass, weeds and other debris in and around your air conditioner.

Your A/C needs space to “breathe” - pull in fresh air and let out indoor air. If weeds and other obstructions are in the way, performance and efficiency decline.

While you may not have leaves piling up around your A/C just yet, we’ve seen quite a few units buried in weeds and bushes.

We recommend clearing at least 1-3 feet on all sides of your outdoor unit.

Clean It Up

You’d be surprised how dirty your A/C gets throughout the summer! And, as we just mentioned, your unit needs space to breathe. If it’s clogged up, it won’t be able to operate properly.

Very few people like cleaning. But when we tell them it could save their HVAC system and wallets, they’re usually quick to change their minds.

To clean this system, be sure to disconnect it first. Hitting the kill switch is also a good idea!

While a thorough cleaning is best, a quick spray-down with the hose will also do. Make sure you get those big chunks off to prevent clogging!

Once done, wait till the unit dries off before plugging it back in.

Look Closely

HVAC system inspections are typically done by a professional. But if you’re in a pinch, you can at least get a visual inspection done on your own.

Note: You must power off the system before you begin - just as with the cleaning process.

When inspecting your system, here are some things to look for and note:

• Wobbling fan blades
• Loose screws
• Strange noises & smells
• Low refrigerant levels
• Excess moisture
• Dust
• Uneven airflow

If you notice any of these warning signs, call your HVAC team right away!

Check The Electrical

We recommend having one of our Campeau Heating techs come out to service the electrical in your HVAC.

An electrical issue is a little harder to diagnose and a lot more dangerous to investigate on your own.

Some of the things that can affect your HVAC electrical include:

• A recent power outage
• A faulty thermostat
• Malfunctioning capacitor
• Wrong fuse type
• Dislodged wiring

Keep in mind electrical work is dangerous. Our techs have the equipment and know-how to safely investigate and correct the issue.

Replace The Filter

You’ve heard us mention this one a lot. Changing your HVAC filters is always one of our top recommendations.

Here’s why:

You’ve just had a busy summer of tracking dirt indoors, opening and closing windows/doors and having your A/C on 24/7. Your dog has brought in countless treasures and has shed his entire winter coat at this point in the season. You may also have late summer allergies starting up.

Each of these points to the dire need for regular filter changes.

A clogged filter means your system works harder and longer - raising energy bills and lowering efficiency.

That's why we recommend changing your filter at least once every 90 days.

Schedule a Professional A/C Closing Appointment

Does the above list overwhelm you? If so, we highly recommend booking a professional A/C closing appointment.

Our air conditioning team in Sudbury, Ontario, is always ready to lend a hand! We’ll ensure your system is in good, working conditioning before shutting down.

Plus, we can do any repairs we find while there!

Blog: How A/C Maintenance Saves You Money and Protects Your Whole Family

Double Up and Get Your Furnace Prepped For Fall Too!

Want to save some time and money? Schedule your furnace tune-up at the same time!

We’ll get your A/C shut down for the season and your furnace prepped for the cold weather together.

Get In Touch

Looking for quality A/C care in Sudbury, Ontario? Contact our team!

Campeau Heating has been in business for 75 years, and we have the expertise to prove it!

Call us at (705) 560-2441 or contact us online today.