The annual ritual of transitioning to cooling after a long winter of heating your house involves more than flipping one switch “Off” and another “On.” There are good reasons for following a recommended sequence of shutting down the furnace and starting up the central air conditioner. You’ll be leaving the furnace in good shape for the heating season next fall while also preparing the A/C to provide optimum cooling performance at the lowest costs during the long, hot summer ahead.
For shutting down the furnace and transitioning to cooling this spring, here’s a brief checklist:
- Schedule annual preventative maintenance with your HVAC contractor. This includes a full checkup, plus a list of manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures performed by a qualified HVAC service technician. In addition to ensuring maximum cooling and reliability all summer long, professional preseason maintenance supports reduced energy consumption and lower monthly bills.
- Shut off the furnace. Change the thermostat setting from “Heat” to “Off.” At the furnace, turn the main gas valve to the “Off” position to stop the flow of gas.
- Replace the air filter. The system filter in your indoor air handler needs changing after winter heating operation. Replace it with a pleated cotton or polyester filter that has a MERV efficiency rating of at least 8. All summer, continue to replace the filter monthly.
- Check air vents in all rooms. Make sure HVAC supply and return vents in each room are open and unobstructed. Closed vents can disrupt air balance in rooms throughout the house and cause your A/C to run longer cycles.
- Inspect the outdoor unit. Make sure the outdoor A/C condenser unit isn’t covered and that no objects are placed on top. Weeds or vegetation around the unit should be cut back to clear 2 feet of space on all sides.
- At the thermostat, set the function switch to “Cool” and also review programmed temperatures.
When it’s time for transitioning to cooling, contact the Air Assurance pros for professional service and advice.