HVAC Dos and Don’ts Before Summer Hits
It’s that time of year when many families are making plans for summer festivities. 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 hot temps.
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 months. Here, a Service Experts professional shares seven strategies to consider when preparing your air conditioner for summer.
Do Get an HVAC Tune-Up
A biannual HVAC tune-up can act as an insurance plan against future problems. While anything can happen when a system is running a lot during extreme weather, getting your AC, furnace and other HVAC components tuned up before maintenance crews get busy during the scorching summer season can certainly help you head off costly repairs in the future. Plus, it also provides a status check for how your system is currently functioning. Annual maintenance also may help keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty effective, which aids 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 Service Experts Field Operations Manager 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 Postpone Repairs
When a specialist advises repairs during a tune-up or if they come up unexpectedly, some homeowners think they can prolong the use of the part or component for “just one more summer.” This mindset, however, only leads to more costly repairs later on.
“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 already bought one, upgrading to a smart thermostat may decrease wear and tear on your air conditioner and furnace. Consider this: Energy savings estimates can range from as low as 12% a year to higher than 20%. Your best choice is to go with an Energy Star-certified thermostat, Carson said, and ask an HVAC pro about how to set cooling times that line up with your daily routine. In some places, you also may have the ability to take advantage of cheaper electricity rates during off-peak hours.
Don’t Use an Overly Restrictive Air Filter
Regularly replacing your air filter is critical; however, there are many different filters to choose from. Some can be extremely restrictive, promising to filter out all viruses and contaminants. While they may successfully remove many contaminants, these highly restrictive filters might also significantly reduce airflow and potentially make your unit work harder. When you schedule your tune-up, it’s a good idea to ask the mechanic for a recommendation, Carson added.
Do De-Clutter and Eliminate Obstructions
This is not merely a hint about household clutter, but more about removing the airflow obstacles inside and outside of your home. First, indoors, if air vents are hindered by furniture or household items, that can restrict ventilation into that room or zone. That means your air conditioner will have to run longer to get the air temperature to the temperature set on your thermostat.
The other location where obstructions can be a concern is around your condenser coil outside the house. Some property owners see these as an eyesore and make an effort 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 essential to the well-being 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 stay inside your air ducts and cause problems for people living with asthma and allergies.
Here are a few indicators your home might need an air duct cleaning:
- Mold is in the home or inside the air conditioning unit.
- Dust blows out of vents when the blower is turned on.
- A renovation that generated significant dust has recently been done.
Do Consider a High-Efficiency AC Upgrade
If your heating and cooling unit is close to the end of its life, replacing it with a modern, high-efficiency system before summertime is here can be better than waiting for “just one more summer.” Though that has always been the case, it’s more true today than ever before.
