It’s that time of year when many people are planning for summer festivities. But it’s also a great time to see to it that all of your home systems are ready to handle the added workload that comes with rising temperatures.
Certainly, a home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one mechanism that does some heavy lifting during the summer season. Here, a Service Experts specialist shares seven strategies to keep in mind when preparing your cooling system for summer.
Do Get an HVAC Tune-Up
A twice-a-year HVAC tune-up can act as a safety net against future problems. While anything can happen when a system is being used quite a bit, getting your air conditioner, furnace and other HVAC components tuned up before maintenance crews get busy during the scorching summer season can certainly help you ward off costly repairs down the road. Plus, it also provides a status check for how your system is currently performing. Annual maintenance also may help keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty active, which helps you in case a key component breaks 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 Put Off Repairs
When a specialist advises repairs during a tune-up or if they come up unexpectedly, some homeowners think they can extend the use of the part or component for “just one more summer.” This mindset, however, only leads to more expensive 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 already bought one, upgrading to a smart thermostat could43 decrease wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment. Consider this: Energy savings estimates can run from as low as 12% a year to higher than 20%. Your best option is to go with an Energy Star®-certified thermostat, Carson said, and ask an HVAC pro about how to set cooling times that align with your daily routine. In some places, you also may be able to take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours.
Don’t Use an Extremely Restrictive Air Filter
Consistently switching out your air filter is critical; however, there are a lot of different filters to choose from. A few of these can be extremely restrictive, promising to trap all viruses and contaminants. While they may effectively remove many contaminants, these highly restrictive filters might also significantly reduce airflow and possibly 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 Remove Obstructions
This is not simply a hint about household clutter, but more about removing the airflow obstructions inside and outside of your home. First, on the inside, if air vents are blocked by furniture or household items, that can reduce ventilation into that room or area. That means your air conditioning 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 problem is close to your condenser coil outside the home. Some homeowners see these as an eyesore and make an effort to cover them up with shrubs or even build structures or other landscaping. Think again!
“Obstructions to units and vents on the inside and outside of the home can be both an efficiency and safety concern,” Carson said. “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 Overlook Your Air Ducts
Clean air ducts are essential to the health of your home—and the people who are living in it. Pollen and airborne toxins from sprays, cooking, candles, fireplaces and off-gassing items can all get inside your air ducts and cause problems for people who have asthma and allergies.
Here are some signals your home might need an air duct cleaning:
- Mold is in the home or within the air conditioner.
- Dust wafts from vents when the blower is switched on.
- A renovation that generated significant dust has recently been done.
Do Consider a High-Efficiency HVAC Upgrade
If your system is near the end of its life, replacing it with a high-tech, high-efficiency system before summertime is here can be better than waiting for “just one more summer.” Although that has always been true, it’s more true today than ever before.