How to Maintain Your AC for Optimal Summer Performance

When the summer heat rolls into San Jose, your air conditioner becomes more than just a luxury. It turns into a lifeline for comfort inside your home. But even the best AC unit won’t perform well if it’s not taken care of properly. Just like your car needs regular oil changes to run smoothly, your AC needs the right service to work at its best when you need it most.

Ignoring something small can lead to uncomfortable days or even bigger problems down the road. Taking simple steps and scheduling AC tune-up services ahead of time can hold off pricey repairs and keep your home cool when temperatures soar. Here’s how to get the most out of your AC system all summer long.

Schedule Regular AC Tune-Ups

Regular AC tune-up services are one of the best ways to make sure your system keeps running strong during hot summers. Not only does it help with cooling your home evenly, but it also gives a professional the chance to catch small concerns before they grow into major failures.

When a tech checks your system, they look at things like:

– Loose wiring or electrical issues

– Unusual noises or vibrations

– Thermostat reading accuracy

– Signs of wear on moving parts

Catching these issues early can help you avoid sudden surprises in the middle of a heatwave. In San Jose, temperatures can swing quickly, and a surprise breakdown in early July isn’t something you want to deal with. We’ve had homeowners call in after their system went silent during their Fourth of July barbecue, and it turned out to be something that could’ve been fixed weeks earlier during a standard service.

The best time to schedule an AC tune-up service is during late spring or very early summer. That way, your AC is primed and ready before the heat kicks in full force. Think of it like preparing the house before guests arrive. You want everything working just right.

Clean or Replace Air Filters

Air filters are often overlooked, but they play a big role in keeping your AC performing well. When filters get clogged with dust, pet hair, or pollen, your system has to work a lot harder just to push cool air through. That extra strain leads to poor airflow, higher energy use, and sometimes full system slowdowns.

As a good rule of thumb, your air filters should be inspected at least once every 30 days during heavy-use seasons, like June through August. Depending on the type of filter and how many people or pets live in your home, you might need to replace it even more often.

Here’s what clean filters help with:

– Better airflow throughout the home

– Reduced stress on the AC system

– Cleaner indoor air, which can help with allergies

– Quieter overall operation and fewer start-stop cycles

If you notice your rooms aren’t cooling evenly or find more dust than usual inside your house, the air filter is a good place to start. Swap it out and see how things improve. It’s a simple fix that can make a noticeable difference without needing tools or a deep system check.

That said, if changing the filter doesn’t help or the issue keeps coming back fast, there may be something deeper going on that needs a technician’s visit.

Check and Clean the Condenser Coils

The condenser coils, usually located in the unit outside your home, help release the heat your system pulls from your home’s air. When they’re covered in dirt, dried leaves, or grass clippings, they can’t do their job well. This makes the system work harder, which raises your energy use and shortens the life of your AC.

Keeping the area around your AC unit clear is one step. But the coils themselves also need to stay clean.

Here’s how you can stay ahead of coil problems:

1. Keep bushes, weeds, and plants trimmed around the unit. Leave at least two feet of space on all sides.
2. Check the unit visually once a month for signs of buildup or blockages.
3. If you notice thick dust, dirt, or gunk along the fins, it’s time for a professional cleaning during your next AC tune-up service.

Trying to clean the coils yourself without the right care can bend the fins or make the problem worse. So if anything looks off, it’s best to let a trained tech handle it safely. Clean coils mean faster cooling, less wear on parts, and more days without needing to hear the AC turn on constantly.

Inspect Thermostat Settings

Making sure your thermostat is set right can be the difference between a cool, comfortable home and a space that’s just a little too warm. Sometimes, it’s a simple issue of mismatched settings. Before summer hits its stride, double-check that your thermostat is working accurately. A quick way to do this is to compare the setting on your thermostat to an indoor thermometer. If there’s a big difference, it might be time to calibrate it.

Adjusting your thermostat settings for energy efficiency can also help you stay cool without overworking your system. With a programmable thermostat, you can raise the temperature during the hours you’re away from home, then cool things down before you return. This gives your AC a break and helps lower your energy bill.

During sleeping hours, you might prefer a cooler environment, while daytime settings can be set a few degrees higher — especially if no one is home. If your current thermostat doesn’t have these features or it’s frustrating to use, consider switching to a smart thermostat. These learn your routines, adjusting automatically based on your preferences and schedule.

If you’re unsure how to set up or install one, getting help from a technician can save time and prevent setup issues.

Ensure Proper Refrigerant Levels

Refrigerant is the part of your AC that actually makes cooling possible. Without the right amount of it, your AC has to work harder and still might not keep things cool. If refrigerant levels drop too low, you might start to feel warm air coming out of your vents, even though the system is running non-stop.

This isn’t something you can check or refill on your own. Special tools and knowledge are needed, and safety matters too. A trained technician knows how to look for leaks, measure the refrigerant, and safely recharge it if needed.

In some cases, the technician might just need to seal up a leak and replace the amount that’s missing. Fixing these issues quickly helps your system run more smoothly and keeps energy costs from going up.

When refrigerant is at the right level, your AC doesn’t have to work as long or as hard. That means fewer repairs down the line and more years added to the life of your unit.

Stay Cool With Help from Therma Tech Inc

As summer temperatures start to rise in San Jose, leaning on these helpful tips can make all the difference. From cleaning out dirty filters and coils to setting your thermostat right and scheduling reliable AC tune-up services, each step works together to bring better comfort to your home.

Staying ahead of issues saves you from sweating it out during a surprise breakdown. And when you let skilled technicians check areas like refrigerant levels or the internal components during a tune-up, you give your unit the best shot at lasting through the hottest days.

While some checks can be done by homeowners, calling in a trusted expert gives peace of mind and keeps your system running the way it should. A strong, steady AC system means quiet comfort inside — no matter how hot it gets outside.

To keep your home cool and your system running smoothly, consider prioritizing regular care before the heat peaks. Let Therma Tech Inc help ensure your unit performs its best all season long with expert AC tune-up services designed for lasting comfort in San Jose.