It’s that time of year when many families are making plans for summertime fun. But it’s also an important time to see to it that all of your home systems are ready to handle the added workload that comes with rising weather.
Certainly, a home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one mechanism that does an awful a lot of work during the summer. Here, a Service Experts specialist shares seven strategies to keep in mind when preparing your air conditioner for summer.
Do Get an HVAC Tune-Up
A twice annual HVAC tune-up can act as protection against future problems. Even though anything can happen when a system is being used quite a bit, getting your air conditioner, furnace and other HVAC components tuned up before crews get busy during the scorching summer season can definitely help you ward off costly repairs in the future. Plus, it also offers a status check for how your system is currently performing. Routine maintenance also may help keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty active, which helps you in case a key component fails during the warranty period.
“Tightening electrical components, cleaning condensate lines, cleaning the outdoor and indoor coils, and lubricating necessary components, it’s all part of the annual checkup we do,” said the field operations manager at Service Experts, Mike Carson. “And, we’ll change your air filters and answer any questions you may have too. It’s the best small investment any homeowner can make this time of year.”
Don’t Delay Repairs
When a specialist suggests repairs during a tune-up or if they happen unexpectedly, some homeowners think they can extend the use of the part or component for “just one more summer.” This thinking, however, only leads to more costly repairs down the line.
“Clogged lines, dirty filters, low refrigerant (Freon), loose or broken parts, you name it, it all contributes to how efficiently your system runs. It’s always best to address problems when they arise to keep it operating to its full potential,” Carson emphasized.
Do Upgrade Your Thermostat
If you haven’t done it already, upgrading to a smart thermostat can43 reduce wear and tear on your HVAC system. Consider this: Energy savings estimates can vary from as low as 12% a year to higher than 20%. Your best choice is to go with an Energy Star®-certified thermostat, Carson recommended, and ask an HVAC pro about how to set cooling times that line up with your daily schedule. In some places, you also may have the option to take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours.
Don’t Use a Very Restrictive Air Filter
Regularly replacing your air filter is essential; however, there are a wide variety of different filters to choose from. A few of these can be very restrictive, promising to filter out all viruses and contaminants. While they may efficiently remove many contaminants, these highly restrictive filters might also slow airflow and potentially make your unit work harder. When you schedule your tune-up, it’s a good strategy to ask the technician for a recommendation, Carson added.
Do De-Clutter and Remove Obstructions
This is not merely a recommendation about household clutter, but more about removing the airflow barriers inside and outside of your home. First, on the inside, if air vents are hindered by furniture or household items, that can limit the flow of air into that room or area. That means your air conditioning will be forced to run longer to get the air temperature to the level set on your thermostat.
The other location where obstructions can be a concern is around your condenser coil outside the home. Some property owners see these as an eyesore and try to cover them up with bushes or even build structures or other landscaping. Bad idea!
“Obstructions to units and vents on the inside and outside of the home can be both an efficiency and safety concern,” Carson noted. “Covering up or blocking return air vents, where the system draws in the air inside the home is another common problem we see. These things can be like asking your system to work harder while wearing a very heavy face mask.”
Don’t Neglect Your Air Ducts
Clean air ducts are indispensable to the health of your home—and the people who live in it. Pollen and airborne toxins from sprays, cooking, candles, fireplaces and off-gassing items can all reside inside your air ducts and cause issues for people living with asthma and allergies.
Here are a couple of indications your home is due for an air duct cleaning:
- Mold has been discovered in the home or on the inside of the air conditioning unit.
- Dust wafts from vents when the blower is switched on.
- A renovation that generated considerable dust has recently been done.
Do Consider a High-Efficiency HVAC Upgrade
If your heating and cooling unit is near the end of its life, replacing it with a new, high-efficiency system before the hot summer weather is here can be better than waiting for “just one more summer.” And while that has always been a good idea, it’s more true these days than ever before.