Spring is in the air, which means summer will be here in the blink of an eye. If you haven't done so already, you'll probably want to turn your air conditioning back on in the upcoming weeks. Before you do that, we have a few steps you should take that can save you money on your cooling bills this summer and help prevent an untimely air conditioning break-down.

In this post, you'll read the five critical steps to take before the summer heat gets here. By following these steps, you'll save yourself money on cooling costs and AC repair by staying ahead of potential problems:

1. Clear Debris Around Your AC Unit

By clearing away leaves, sticks, dirt, and other debris that may have accumulated around your air conditioner over the winter, you improve your system's airflow. This does two things: First, it helps your equipment to run more efficiently, which saves you money. Second, it can prevent costly damage that would result from leaves, sticks, and other foreign objects gathering inside your equipment.

2. Clean Your Vents, Registers, and Grilles

To improve air circulation inside the home, clear away dust and dander from the vents, registers, and grilles from your ventilation ducts. This will help your home better circulate the cool air for a more consistent temperature throughout the house.

3. Turn on and Listen to Your Air Conditioner

An indication that your air conditioner is about to break down is an unusual sound coming from the equipment. Rattling, buzzing, or shaking can be a sign that a belt is loose or a foreign object is in the unit. If your equipment is running loudly, call us today to investigate it before it causes damage.

4. Change Your Air Filter

Do you know the last time you replaced your air filter? If it was more than three months ago, you should change it today. If you have pets, you should be changing your filter every month or two. A dirty air filter can lead to higher utility bills, lower air quality, and can ultimately damage your air conditioner.

5. Explore AC Protection Plans

To stay ahead of problematic air conditioning breakdowns during the warmest summer months, consider a protection plan from one of the most trusted HVAC companies near Villanova. You'll receive precision tune-ups, professional cleaning, and safety checks, amongst other things.

As the warm weather approaches, make sure your air conditioning system is ready to keep your home cool for the entire summer. To learn more about proper maintenance or air conditioning installation in Montgomery County, PA, contact One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning® of Bucks County.