First Heat of Summer Expected Today; Be Sure to Check Your A/C

Rhode Island health officials issued an ozone alert for June 20 (the first day of summer as it turns out), with temperatures reaching 95 degrees and warm, humid conditions forecast to create unhealthy air quality.

Ozone levels are forecast to be highest this afternoon into the evening, the Department of Environmental Management stated in a release posted June 19 on its website. The agency recommended limiting outdoor activities and staying in an air-conditioned environment, if possible.

The Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency (RIEMA) also issued an extreme heat warning for today, advising people to avoid strenuous activity in the heat and watch out for signs of heat exposure and sun stroke.

In Johnston, Marian J. Mohr Library and the are the town's public air-conditioned spaces, with the library open until 8 p.m. Call (401) 944-3343 to check the senior center's schedule.

If you have your own A/C at home:

With the last few weeks of seasonable weather, today is very likely to be the first time that many people turn on their central air conditioning systems, or mount window units.

If you haven't taken the chance to prepare your A/C units before today, here are a few handy tips to make sure your air conditioning keeps working properly.

For window units:

• See if there's a filter inside the front of the unit and wash the filter with warm water and a mild detergent. Most filters are made of a mesh-like material that dries fairly quickly with paper towels. Be sure the filter is completely dry before replacing it.
• Be sure that there is nothing resting or leaning against the outside of the unit, as this can cause a build-up of heat.
• Use a bracket mounting kit to support the back of the window unit to prevent it from falling out of a window.
• Plug the unit into a dedicated, grounded (three-prong) electrical outlet. Do not use power strips or extension cords, or plug multiple appliances into the same outlet as the air conditioner.
• For a mobile room air conditioner, be sure the vent pipe is properly mounted in a nearby window, and that it is plugged into a dedicated outlet.

For central A/C systems:

• Uncover the condenser (the "big tan thing outside with the fan in it") to allow proper air flow.
• Check the copper lines attached to the condenser for signs of corrosion, i.e., green discoloring.
• Make sure all electrical connections are secure, and that all circuits are active — most central systems have dedicated breakers that get shut off during the winter.
• After the unit has been running for awhile, check the drain pan under the main (inside) unit. The pan should catch the "sweat" from the unit and direct it to a pump that carries the water away — and be sure that the pump is plugged in and working properly.
• Check all vents in the house to make sure they're not obstructed or blocked by anything to allow for the best air flow.
• If the A/C feels cold at first, then warms up, the system's charge of coolant may be low. Call an air conditioning professional for service [like one of the companies listed in the JohnstonPatch directory]. DO NOT attempt to charge a residential A/C system.