How to Get Your AC Ready for a Birmingham, AL Summer

Why spring is the moment to look at the AC

Summers around Birmingham, AL are long, hot and heavy with humidity, and a central air system may run for months with only short breaks. Small problems that hide during the cool season tend to show up on the first truly hot afternoon, which is also when many neighbors are calling for help at once.

Checking the system while the weather is still pleasant gives a homeowner room to act. If something seems off, there is time to arrange a visit before the house becomes uncomfortable, and no one is forced to make a rushed decision in the middle of a heat wave.

Start inside: filter, thermostat and vents

The indoor checks take only a few minutes and require nothing more than a fresh filter and a little attention. Spring pollen in this region is heavy, and a filter that looked fine in February can be clogged by April.

• Slide out the air filter and hold it up to a light. If light barely passes through, replace it with one of the same size.
• Set the thermostat to cool, lower the setpoint a few degrees below room temperature and wait for the system to start.
• Replace thermostat batteries if the display is faint or blank.
• Walk through each room and make sure supply registers are open and not blocked by rugs, furniture or curtains.
• Check that return grilles are clear so the system can pull air back in easily.

Closing vents in unused rooms might seem efficient, but it can upset the balance of airflow and make the system work harder. Leaving them open is usually the safer choice.

Walk around the outdoor unit

The condenser outside does the heavy lifting of shedding heat from the house. It needs room to breathe, and the hilly, wooded lots common around Birmingham, AL often send leaves, seed pods and grass clippings straight toward it.

• Pick up leaves, sticks and trash from around the base and sides of the unit by hand.
• Trim back shrubs or tall grass so there is open space on every side.
• Look for anything resting on the unit, such as a tarp, a toy or a fallen branch, and remove it.
• Notice whether the unit sits level on its pad, especially on sloped yards.

Keep hands away from the fan and the inside of the cabinet. There is no need to remove any panels, and doing so can expose wiring and parts that hold a dangerous electrical charge even when the system is off. Bent fins, oily spots or damaged insulation on the copper lines are things to point out to a provider rather than fix at home.

Glance at the condensate drain

As the AC cools the air, it pulls moisture out and sends that water away through a drain line. In a humid climate, that line carries a lot of water through the season, and a clog can lead to leaks near the indoor unit.

A homeowner can simply look where the drain line ends, often near the outdoor unit or a floor drain, and confirm water drips out once the system has been running for a while. Standing water around the indoor unit, a damp ceiling stain or a musty smell are worth mentioning on the call. Avoid opening the drain pan or taking anything apart. See the page on an AC leaking water for more on what causes this.

Run a test before the first hot week

Once the filter is fresh and the outdoor unit is clear, run the system on a warm but not brutal day. Let it operate for a good stretch and pay attention to how the house feels and sounds.

Air at the registers should feel noticeably cooler than the room, and both the indoor blower and the outdoor fan should be running. A rattling, grinding or squealing sound, a burning smell, or a breaker that trips are reasons to switch the system off. If the breaker trips, one reset is reasonable; a second trip means the switch stays off until a provider takes a look.

Ice on the copper lines or the indoor coil means the system should be turned off so it can thaw. Running it frozen can cause further damage. Once it has thawed and the filter has been checked, a provider can look into why it froze.

Signs it is time to call a provider

Not every summer complaint needs a technician, but some symptoms point past what a homeowner can safely handle. Calling the number on this page can connect the household with an independent local HVAC provider for AC repair or a seasonal tune-up.

• Air from the vents feels warm or only slightly cool after the filter and thermostat checks.
• The outdoor unit hums but the fan does not spin.
• Ice keeps returning after the system has thawed.
• Water is pooling near the indoor unit or staining a ceiling.
• The system runs constantly and the house still feels sticky.
• The breaker trips more than once.

Keeping the system steady through a humid summer

After the spring check, a little routine attention goes a long way. Look at the filter monthly during heavy use, keep the area around the outdoor unit clear after storms and mowing, and avoid large thermostat swings that force the system to catch up all at once.

Homes with older ductwork, common in established Birmingham, AL neighborhoods, may lose cooled air into crawlspaces or attics. Rooms that never seem to cool evenly can be a clue. A provider who offers HVAC maintenance can look at both the equipment and how air is moving through the house.