Summer arrives fast in Michigan. One week you’re still running the heat at night, and the next your air conditioner is working overtime to keep up with July temperatures. If your cooling system hasn’t been touched since last fall, now is the time to change that.
A few simple maintenance steps can prevent a breakdown on the hottest day of the year, extend the life of your equipment, and keep your energy bills from climbing. This checklist covers the tasks every homeowner in Davison, Grand Blanc, Flint, and the surrounding area should complete before summer is in full swing.
Swap Your Air Filter First
This is the easiest step on the list, and the one most homeowners skip. A clogged filter restricts airflow, forces your system to work harder, and puts unnecessary stress on the compressor over time. Check your filter right now. If it looks gray or brown instead of white, replace it before you do anything else.
Most standard systems use a 1-inch filter available at any hardware store for $10 to $20. Check your unit’s label or owner’s manual for the correct size. Plan to replace it every 30 to 90 days through cooling season. If anyone in your household has allergies or asthma, err toward the shorter end of that range. A clean filter also improves indoor air quality in a meaningful way, which is easy to overlook when you’re focused on keeping the house cool.
If you have a reusable filter, vacuum it gently and rinse it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Set a calendar reminder so it doesn’t slip through the cracks in the middle of summer when you’re least likely to think about it.
Check Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is the substance that absorbs heat from inside your home and releases it outside. Without adequate refrigerant, your system runs longer, cools less effectively, and drives your electric bill higher. Low refrigerant is always a sign of a leak somewhere in the system. It does not simply run out over time.
Signs of low refrigerant include warm air from your vents while the system is running, ice buildup on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil, and a hissing or bubbling sound near the outdoor unit. If you notice any of these, stop running the system and call a licensed technician. Refrigerant handling requires EPA certification, and topping off without locating and fixing the underlying leak is not a real solution. It will just put you back in the same position a few months later.
Catching a refrigerant issue before summer peaks means faster scheduling and a lower repair bill. Left alone through a full cooling season, a slow leak can degrade compressor performance and shorten the overall life of the system.
Clean the Coils
Your A/C has two sets of coils: the evaporator coil inside the air handler and the condenser coil in the outdoor unit. Both accumulate dirt and debris over time, and both need to be clean to transfer heat efficiently. Dirty coils force your system to work harder for the same output, and they are one of the most common reasons a system underperforms during a heat wave.
There are steps you can take on the outdoor unit yourself. Rinse the exterior fins with a garden hose on low pressure to remove surface-level buildup. Clear away leaves, branches, and yard debris from within two feet of the unit on all sides. Good airflow around the condenser is essential. If the fins look bent or crushed in spots, a soft brush can straighten minor bends, but significant damage should be assessed by a tech.
Internal coil cleaning is a different matter. It requires the right cleaning agents and a controlled rinse process. Improper technique can bend the fins or damage the coil surface, turning a routine maintenance step into an avoidable repair. This is one of the tasks that belongs on your annual professional tune-up, not the DIY list.
When to Call a Professional
DIY maintenance covers a lot of ground, but some situations require a licensed technician regardless of how handy you are. Schedule a service visit if you notice any of the following before or during cooling season:
- Warm air from vents while the system is running
- The system runs continuously but the house never reaches the set temperature
- Ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil
- A hissing, bubbling, or grinding noise from anywhere in the system
- The outdoor unit is not running while the indoor air handler is on
- A burning or electrical smell when the system kicks on
Davison Home Services offers A/C maintenance visits that cover coil cleaning, refrigerant checks, electrical connection inspection, and a full system assessment. Our technicians serve Davison, Grand Blanc, Flint, and all surrounding areas. Book your tune-up here.
If something needs to be fixed, our A/C repair service covers everything from refrigerant leaks to compressor issues. Right now, we’re offering $25 off any repair or diagnostic visit — a good reason to address a problem now rather than waiting until every contractor in the county is booked solid.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have my A/C serviced? Once per year in spring is the standard recommendation. If your system is more than 10 years old, twice-yearly visits are a smart investment that can extend equipment life significantly.
What is the difference between A/C maintenance and A/C repair? Maintenance is preventive. A technician cleans components, checks refrigerant, and tightens connections before problems develop. Repair addresses something that has already failed. Regular maintenance is the most reliable way to reduce how often you need repairs.
Can I clean my condenser coils myself? You can rinse the exterior fins with a low-pressure garden hose and clear debris from around the unit. Internal coil cleaning should be handled by a licensed technician. The wrong cleaning products or too much pressure can cause damage that costs more to fix than the cleaning would have saved.
How long does a tune-up take? Most maintenance visits take one to two hours, depending on the age and condition of your system.
Why is my A/C running but not cooling the house? Common causes include a clogged filter, low refrigerant, dirty coils, or a failing compressor. Start by checking your filter. If that’s not the issue, schedule a diagnostic visit rather than letting the system run in a degraded state all summer.
Get Your System Ready Before the Heat Arrives
A little attention now prevents a costly breakdown in July. Check your filter, clear the area around your outdoor unit, and listen for anything that sounds off. If something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait for it to get worse.
Davison Home Services has been serving Genesee County, Oakland County, and Lapeer County for over two decades. We back every job with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call (810) 215-9219 to schedule your tune-up, or book online here. And if your system needs a repair, take advantage of $25 off any repair or diagnostic visit while the offer is available.
