5 Things You Need to Do for Your AC Before Fall

Okay, it’s still hot out there. But there are hints that cooler weather is on the way. Every day the morning sun comes up just a bit later and night closes in just a bit earlier. While we may not notice these incremental differences day-to-day, we suddenly realize that our days are getting shorter. Another hint at cooler temperatures ahead comes when we start shopping for sweaters and jackets for our kids, and see school buses practicing routes through our neighborhoods. Ready or not, summer will soon be over.

While we may be thinking about assuring that our furnaces are ready for the cooler days ahead, we should not ignore our air conditioners. Taking care of your cooling system will assure that your air conditioning unit gives you the most energy-efficient operation possible, while assuring a long life of dependable service. Proper maintenance also means that your equipment will be ready when you flip the switch from “heat” to “cool” next summer.

In fact, scheduling regular maintenance on your heating and cooling system will keep you and your family comfortable all year long.

There are a few things that homeowners can do to prevent costly problems, even before a maintenance visit is scheduled. While some (handy) homeowners will be comfortable with some of these maintenance tips, others will require a call to a service technician:

Check for funny sounds or smells. If you hear something rattling when the A/C is on, or if you smell anything abnormal, it could be a sign of a potential leak
Check for leaks or drips in the drains, nozzles and tubing in order to avoid mildew (or worse yet, mold). The condensation pan under the unit should be regularly drained.
Fan blades should be checked for corrosion or extensive wear. Blades and condenser coils may also become dirty with continued use and should be cleaned.
Clean up the area. This summer has been especially good for growing plants and (especially) weeds. When any type of foliage gets too close to the unit, it should be cut back and/or removed. Leaves and other debris can not only be a fire hazard, but may allow insects and other pests a path into the system, which could wreak havoc. (See last month’s post on the damage a mouse can do.)
Finally, one of the best ways to keep your HVAC system running efficiently is changing the air filter. Whether you have separate filters for the A/C and heat, or use the same for both, each filter should be changed often.

Think of TR Miller Heating & Cooling for all of your HVAC needs. We provide quality workmanship with professional, dependable and courteous service. We offer 24-hour emergency service so that you can count on us to be there when you need us the most.

Grab our Fall Super Savings – Save with your AC tune-up and prep for fall and get that furnace ready for its job ahead. Grab the offer here.

(You can also save that AC tune-up for next season with our offer!)

Author

Brian Sloan

Brian Sloan is the President of TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical, one of the western Chicago suburbs' leading family owned home service companies, serving homeowners across more than 80 communities throughout Will, Kendall, DuPage, Kane, and Cook counties.

TR Miller is more than a business to Brian, it's a family legacy. The company was founded by his father, Tim Miller, and Brian and his brother Jim have played an important role in growing the business from a small local operation into a full service residential HVAC, plumbing, and electrical company serving homeowners throughout the greater Chicagoland area.

Brian's perspective on the home services industry comes from firsthand experience. Before taking on leadership responsibilities, he worked in the field as an HVAC Service Technician and Fabrication Technician, diagnosing heating and cooling systems, assembling custom HVAC components, and supporting residential installations throughout the western suburbs.

That hands on foundation continues to influence the way Brian leads TR Miller today. He understands both the work taking place inside a customer's home and the systems, training, and support required behind the scenes to consistently deliver a great customer experience.

Over the course of his career at TR Miller, Brian has worked across nearly every major area of the business, including operations, marketing, sales, job coordination, customer service, finance, and leadership. Today, as President, he is responsible for the overall strategy, growth, culture, and performance of the organization.

That breadth of experience across both the technical and business sides of home services has helped shape how TR Miller operates: combining the systems and accountability of a professionally run organization with the care, responsiveness, and personal connection of a family business.
Brian's philosophy is straightforward, make home services convenient and reliable while giving homeowners the information they need to make the best decisions for their homes and families. That means educating customers, providing clear options and upfront pricing, and making sure homeowners understand both what was found and why a repair or replacement may be recommended.

Under Brian's leadership, TR Miller has expanded beyond HVAC into plumbing and electrical services, grown across multiple locations, invested heavily in technical and leadership development, and been recognized seven times on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest growing privately held companies.

Credentials & Affiliations:
- President, TR Miller Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical
- Membership Officer, YPO Chicagoland
- Board Member, Nexstar Network
- Former Vice Chair, Board of Directors, Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce
- Associate's Degree, Waubonsee Community College
- Former HVAC Service Technician & Fabrication Technician, TR Miller