As the weather heats up, many air conditioning units around the Region of Waterloo are turning on for the first time this year, and some homeowners are already having issues cooling their homes. Able Air Conditioning and Heating told CTV News it received many calls for malfunctioning AC units during this warm spell. “Several customers already in the past few days, depleting my truck stock of all my parts, which is no problem at all. We keep well-stocked,” said Philip Gingrich, an HVAC service technician with Able Air Conditioning and Heating. “We usually have our regular on-call staff rotating in and out, and I did help assist another technician the other day, because it was just crazy.” There are several things you can do to make sure your unit runs smoothly this spring and summer. The most important tip is making sure your furnace filter is clean, so the air conditioning isn’t fighting with any clogs. “Airflow is the most important thing, of course. So, it always starts inside. Keep the air filter clean all year round,” Gingrich said. Gingrich said owners should also keep the area around the outdoor AC unit clear. Homeowners can spray the side coils with a hose to clean them. “You can always give your coil a rinse off. It collects a lot of debris and it’s always better to have a professional do it. But if you’re out here with the garden hose, water is not going to hurt it,” Gingrich said. “Of course, you want to turn it off [first].” While the weather is expected to cool off over the coming days, Gingrich said cleaning your ventilation ducts can also help clear the way. Keeping the furnace fan running can also help circulate cooler air throughout the house. “Circulating that air helps move the air around my home, eliminating a few of those cold spots. We can also bring up some of that cold air from our naturally cold basements, up into the higher levels of the home,” Gingrich said. He also said homeowners should also avoid using cool-mist humidifiers indoors. “They put a lot of minerals into the air which really clog up your furnace filter,” Gingrich said. During the winter months, Gingrich recommends covering only the top of the AC unit rather than the entire structure. “A simple plywood piece with some weight on top of it, like some bricks or rocks to stop any falling snow or debris from damaging the unit itself [is best],” Gingrich said. He said covering it fully can make a home for mice who like tp chew on wires. “So, if you want to cover it, possibly just the top portion,” Gingrich said.
