Is Your AC Ready for Summer? 5 Things to Check Before You Need It Most

There's a particular frustration to discovering your AC isn't working on the first genuinely hot day of the year. By then, HVAC technicians are booked out, temperatures inside your home are climbing, and what might have been a minor fix has become an inconvenient emergency. A few checks in late spring can tell you whether you're heading into summer in good shape — or headed for trouble.

Here are five things worth doing now.

1. Replace Your Air Filter

If you haven't changed your filter since last fall, do it today. A clogged filter forces your AC to work harder to pull air through the system, reducing cooling efficiency and putting strain on the blower motor. During peak summer, you may need to swap the filter every 30 to 45 days depending on your household. It's a small maintenance step that has a noticeable impact on performance and energy bills.

2. Clear the Outdoor Condenser Unit

Winter and spring leave behind leaves, debris, and plant growth around the outdoor unit. Clear at least two feet in every direction and trim back any vegetation that's encroaching. Check the fins on the unit for visible dirt or damage. You can rinse the unit gently with a garden hose, spraying from the inside out to push debris away from the fins rather than deeper into them.

3. Test the System Before Peak Heat

Run your AC on a cooler spring day — turn the thermostat down 5 degrees below the current indoor temperature and let it run for 15 minutes. You're checking whether the air coming from the vents feels cold, whether airflow seems consistent in all rooms, and whether the system runs smoothly without unusual sounds or short cycling. Problems identified now cost less to fix than problems discovered during a heat wave.

4. Check Your Thermostat

Make sure your thermostat is reading the correct temperature and responding accurately to changes. If you have an older thermostat, this is a good time to consider an upgrade — a programmable or smart thermostat can reduce energy costs throughout the summer by adjusting temperatures when you're away or sleeping.

5. Schedule a Professional Inspection

An HVAC technician can check things a homeowner can't easily access: refrigerant charge, electrical connections, capacitor health, and evaporator coil condition. According to Energy Star heating and cooling efficiency data, regular professional maintenance keeps systems running at peak efficiency and extends equipment life.

We offer AC service in Chesterfield and throughout the area, along with complete heating and cooling services across St. Charles, St. Louis, Lincoln and Warren Counties.

Act Before the Rush

Our technicians do not work on commission — you get honest advice about what your system actually needs. Late May and early June are the last good window to get service scheduled before summer demand makes appointments harder to come by. Don't wait until your home is hot and you need service tomorrow. Call (636) 397-3200 to schedule a pre-summer AC inspection, or request service online at aaastl.com.