Local cooling and heating experts say now is the time for homeowners to make sure their air conditioners are in working order before the summer rush. Air-conditioning companies get a burst of calls when it hits 90 degrees or 100 degrees.

Local experts say there are two main ways homeowners can be proactive when it comes to air-conditioner maintenance.

First, change the unit’s filter every month. A dirty filter can reduce a unit’s airflow, causing the inside of the system to freeze up, Homeowners also need to cut back weeds and bushes, which can block airflow, away from condensing units that sit outside the house. “The outside unit has to breathe,” When a unit’s flow of air is blocked, it not only damages bigger, more expensive parts but can also create larger electric bills and shorten the unit’s lifespan.

A homeowner’s other main defense against summertime air-conditioner breakdowns is having the unit inspected by a professional at least once a year — preferably in the spring.
Technicians don’t want to be crawling around in attics doing basic inspections when it’s 100 degrees out, especially when there are customers whose units are completely broken, he said.

It’s often also less expensive to get an inspection in the spring.

Homeowners should also have their air conditioners inspected even if the units are only one or two years old. That’s because there may be loose connections that create heat, putting stress on motors or compressors.

The sooner homeowners get an inspection, the better off they are. “I think average people procrastinate until they remember or have problems.