HVAC Do's and Dont's Before Summer Hits

It’s that time of year when many families are preparing for summertime fun. But it’s also an important time to be sure all of your home systems are ready to handle the extra workload that comes with hot weather.

Undoubtedly, a home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one component of your home that does some hard work during the summer months. 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 biannual HVAC tune-up can act as protection against future breakdowns. Even though anything can happen when a system is being used quite a bit, getting your air conditioning, furnace and other HVAC components tuned up before crews get busy during the hot summer season can undoubtedly help you ward off costly repairs down the road. Plus, it also offers a status check for how your system is currently functioning. Regular maintenance also may help keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid, which supports you in case a key component goes bad 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 Put Off Repairs

When a specialist recommends repairs during a tune-up or if they occur 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 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 said.

Do Upgrade Your Thermostat

If you haven’t done it already, upgrading to a smart thermostat can43 decrease wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment. Consider this: Energy savings estimates can range from as low as 12% a year to greater than 20%. Your best bet is to go with an Energy Star®-certified thermostat, Carson recommended, and ask an HVAC pro about how to set cooling times that match with your daily schedule. In some places, you also may have the ability to take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours.

Don’t Use an Overly Restrictive Air Filter

Regularly replacing your air filter is essential; however, there are a wide variety of different filters to choose from. Some can be very restrictive, promising to remove all viruses and contaminants. While they may efficiently remove many contaminants, these highly restrictive filters might also slow airflow and possibly make your unit work harder. When you schedule your tune-up, it’s a good plan to ask the HVAC professional for a recommendation, Carson added.

Do De-Clutter and Remove Obstructions

This is not merely 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 obstructed by furniture or household items, that can reduce the flow of air into that room or location. That means your cooling system will have to run longer to get the air temperature to the number set on your thermostat.

The other place where obstructions can cause trouble is near your condenser coil outside the home. Some residents see these as an eyesore and attempt to cover them up with shrubs or even build structures or other landscaping. Not a good 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 well-being of your property—and the people living in it. Pollen and airborne pollutants from sprays, cooking, candles, fireplaces and off-gassing items can all reside inside your air ducts and cause trouble for people who have asthma and allergies.

Here are a few signals your home is due for an air duct cleaning:

• Mold is in the home or within the air conditioning unit.
• Dust wafts from vents when the blower comes on.
• A renovation involving significant dust has recently been done.

Do Consider a High-Efficiency HVAC Upgrade

If your HVAC equipment is close to 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 now than ever before.