How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner for the End of Summer in Lake of the Ozarks

August in the Lake of the Ozarks can still bring plenty of heat. After running throughout the summer, your air conditioner has already put in months of work, and it still needs to keep your home comfortable through the remainder of the cooling season.

That makes late summer an important time to pay attention to your HVAC system.

A little maintenance now can help your air conditioner finish the summer strong, reduce unnecessary strain on the equipment, and give you an opportunity to catch potential problems before temperatures begin changing in September.

Here are some of the most important things Lake of the Ozarks homeowners should check before summer ends.

1. Check Your Air Filter

One of the simplest HVAC maintenance tasks is also one of the most important: checking your air filter.

After a long summer of running your air conditioner, the filter may have collected dust, pet hair, pollen, and other airborne particles. A dirty filter can restrict airflow and force your system to work harder to cool your home.

Check your filter regularly and replace it according to the recommendations provided by the filter and equipment manufacturers.

Homes with pets, higher dust levels, or HVAC systems that run frequently may need their filters checked more often.

2. Keep Your Outdoor AC Unit Clear

Your outdoor condenser needs proper airflow to operate correctly.

Throughout the summer, grass clippings, weeds, leaves, dirt, and other debris can accumulate around the unit.

Check the area around your outdoor equipment and make sure nothing is restricting airflow. Keep vegetation trimmed away and avoid placing outdoor furniture, tools, or other objects directly next to the equipment.

If the coils need deeper cleaning, contact an HVAC professional instead of risking damage to the equipment.

3. Pay Attention to How Your AC Is Running

You use your air conditioner almost every day during the summer, so you probably know what normal operation sounds and feels like.

Do not ignore a change simply because summer is almost over.

Warning signs can include:

• Weak airflow

• Warm air coming from the vents

• Unusual noises

• Strange odors

• Water around the equipment

• Frequent starting and stopping

• Rooms that suddenly feel warmer than others

• An unexpected increase in your electric bill

These could be signs that your air conditioner needs to be inspected. Addressing a smaller issue now may help prevent it from becoming a more serious repair later.

4. Check Your Thermostat

Your thermostat plays an important role in how your HVAC system operates.

Make sure it responds correctly and that the temperature displayed matches how your home actually feels.

If your air conditioner constantly runs but struggles to reach your selected temperature, there could be an issue involving the thermostat, airflow, or another part of the HVAC system.

A professional inspection can help determine the cause.

5. Don’t Forget About Your Mini Split

If your home, garage, shop, office, cabin, or other space uses a ductless mini split, it needs maintenance too.

Mini splits can operate for long periods during the summer and collect dust and debris just like traditional HVAC equipment.

Check and clean reusable filters according to the manufacturer’s instructions, keep the indoor unit unobstructed, and make sure the outdoor equipment is clear of debris.

Contact an HVAC professional if you notice:

• Leaking water

• Reduced airflow

• Unusual noises

• Strange odors

• Reduced cooling performance

• Ice forming on the system

Because many mini splits provide both cooling and heating, late-summer maintenance is especially important. The same system keeping you cool in August may be responsible for heating your space later this fall.

6. Start Thinking About Your Heating System

It may seem strange to think about heating while it is still hot outside, but September will be here before long.

Once cooler nights begin arriving, your HVAC system will transition from cooling season into heating season. By November and December, your heating equipment may be operating every day.

Late summer and early fall give homeowners an opportunity to have their systems checked before heating becomes a necessity.

If your HVAC equipment has not been maintained recently, now is a good time to get ahead of the seasonal change.

For a complete overview of seasonal maintenance, mini-split care, heating-system preparation, and year-round HVAC performance, read our Complete HVAC Maintenance Guide for Lake of the Ozarks Homeowners.

Schedule AC Maintenance in Osage Beach and Lake of the Ozarks

Don’t wait for your air conditioner to completely stop working before giving it attention.

Taking care of your system at the end of summer can help it get through the remaining hot weather while preparing your HVAC equipment for the seasonal changes ahead.

24 Hour Heating & Cooling provides HVAC maintenance, AC repair, heating service, mini-split service, installations, and emergency HVAC service throughout Osage Beach and the Lake of the Ozarks.

Call 573-693-8863 or visit www.24hourheatingandcooling.com to schedule HVAC service or request a free estimate.