Perhaps you think it's too early in the season to worry about how well the air conditioner is working. The weather might not be that hot or hot for that long at a stretch just yet. But you don't want to discover your AC isn't functioning well during a heat spell — you'll have to wait for repair, and it could be costly. So, test your AC before it gets too hot.

Choose a Warm Day

You must first wait for a warm day. Ideally, the weather should be around 60 degrees Fahrenheit, though it can be lower if you don't mind the cool air. Your air conditioner may have instructions in the owner's manual. Some owner's manuals state 65 degrees is a better temperature. If your area is going to have warm weather for a couple of days, wait until the second day.

Wait for the Warmest Part of the Day

Next, you want to wait for when the weather is the warmest it can be. Typically, this time is in the afternoon, though it changes according to your locale. The goal is to wait for your home to warm up a bit so you can tell the difference in temperature. You also want to be able to cool your home so it's lower than outdoor temperatures.

Turn the Thermostat On

Once your home is noticeably warm, it's time to turn the air conditioner on. Before you do that for the first time, make sure there's no debris around the outside condenser unit and that the unit itself looks in good repair.

Once you've turned on the air conditioner, turn the thermostat down. You don't need to worry about ideal cooling temperatures. The set point must simply be lower than the outside temperature. Listen for the AC unit to kick on. If it doesn't, make sure it has a power supply.

Wait for a Whole Cycle

If you hear the air conditioner kick on, go near one of the registers to feel for cool air. The air may not feel cool right away, but it should chill down pretty quickly. Let the air conditioner run for a full cycle. After 10 minutes, you should feel a noticeable difference in the ambient temperature.

Check the System

While you're running the air conditioner, listen for any obvious signs of distress. These signs can be bangs, clicks, buzzes, hisses, or squeals. The different sounds indicate issues ranging from broken parts to electrical problems.

Take this opportunity to check your HVAC filter. You should replace the filter at least every season. If it looks dirty, now is a good time to replace it.

If your air conditioner isn't working properly, call an HVAC company.

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