It’s hot. And with warmer temperatures, we depend more on our air conditioning systems to keep us cool and comfortable. However, there are many potential hazards to be aware of when it comes to your cooling system. With June being National Safety Month and it getting consistently hotter outside, now is the best time to share these A/C safety tips to stay safe this summer so all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the season!

Top 3 Causes of Air Conditioner Fires

Overuse, which causes heat buildup
Improper or lack of professional A/C maintenance
Poor electrical wiring and electrical issues

Luckily, air conditioning fires can be prevented with proper maintenance.

Additional A/C Safety Tips:

Always hire a qualified, licensed HVAC technician to install and service any heating, ventilation, or air conditioning equipment.
Do not store anything near your indoor unit(s). There should be a minimum 3-foot clearance around the unit.
Make sure all of your supply and return vents are unblocked if you have ductwork in your home. Check behind furniture and drapes.
Teach children to stay far away from your indoor and outdoor air conditioning units. While the units are protected by covers, it can be very dangerous and damaging if anyone tries to stick anything (or any little fingers!) in them.
Keep the access panels and covers on at all times. This applies to your indoor and outdoor units, as well as your thermostat(s).
Inspect and maintain A/C equipment regularly, ideally before you start using it full-time.

Schedule Annual A/C Maintenance

Your air conditioning system needs to be properly maintained by a TMS professional. The best thing you can do to keep your air conditioner working safely and efficiently is by scheduling annual air conditioning maintenance every spring. Annual maintenance also fulfills the manufacturer’s requirement to keep your warranty valid in many cases.

Our professional HVAC technicians will be able to inspect your cooling system for safety issues that could result in a fire. In addition to preventing electrical problems, your certified HVAC technician will also clean your system and make sure there are no carbon monoxide or refrigerant leaks.

To make it easy to remember to schedule your annual maintenance, leave it up to us! Sign up for our Service Club membership and you won’t have to worry about remembering to schedule your maintenance each year… we take care of that for you and will give you a call when it’s time to schedule. Easy breezy!

In addition to annual air conditioning maintenance from one of our qualified, licensed professionals, you can help maintain your central unit by:

Changing your air filter every 30-60 days. (We made this even easier to do by setting it up so you can order your filters here and have them scheduled to show up at your door monthly!)
Making sure your outdoor unit has proper airflow by removing debris around it and cleaning the condenser unit with a garden hose

Last, but NEVER least… Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas that can kill you. Make sure you have smoke and CO detectors installed on every level of your home. Check the batteries every month and replace any units that are 10 years old or older.

Gain peace of mind and energy savings by following these A/C safety tips to stay safe this summer… and cool!

Contact our TMS team to schedule your maintenance, if you haven’t already, or a service appointment if you think your air conditioning system may be having an issue. Even if you think it may be time to replace your cooling system, we can take care of that for you too. Our experienced TMS team is here to keep you safe and comfortable during the heat of summer and year round.