HVAC Do's and Dont's Before Summer Hits

It’s that time of year when many people are preparing for some fun in the sun. 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 soaring temperatures.

Without a doubt, a home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one component of your home that does an awful a lot of work during the summer months. Here, a Service Experts professional shares seven strategies to take into account when preparing your HVAC system 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 maintenance crews get busy during the sweltering summer season can certainly help you ward off costly repairs in the future. Plus, it also offers a status check for how your system is currently operating. Routine maintenance also may help keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid, 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 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 Delay Repairs

When a specialist recommends repairs during a tune-up or if they occur unexpectedly, some homeowners think they can prolong the use of the part or component for “just one more summer.” This reasoning, 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 minimize wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment. Consider this: Energy savings estimates can run from as low as 12% a year to greater 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 habits. In some locations, you also may have the option to take advantage of reduced electricity rates during off-peak hours.

Don’t Use an Overly Restrictive Air Filter

Consistently switching out your air filter is critical; however, there are many different filters to choose from. A few of these can be very restrictive, promising to catch or eliminate all viruses and contaminants. While they may effectively remove many contaminants, these highly restrictive filters might also choke airflow and very well could 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 Eliminate Obstructions

This is not merely a hint about household clutter, but more about removing the airflow barriers inside and outside of your home. First, indoors, if air vents are obstructed by furniture or household items, that can limit ventilation into that room or area. That means your air conditioner will need to run longer to get the air temperature to the temperature set on your thermostat.

The other area where obstructions can be a concern is around your condenser coil outside the residence. Some homeowners see these as an eyesore and make an effort to cover them up with shrubbery 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 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 Ignore Your Air Ducts

Clean air ducts are crucial to the condition 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 few signals your home could need an air duct cleaning:

• Mold has been discovered in the home or within the air conditioning unit.
• Dust wafts from vents when the blower comes on.
• A renovation that caused extensive dust has recently been done.

Do Consider a High-Efficiency AC Upgrade

If your heating and cooling unit is nearing the end of its life, replacing it with a high-tech, high-efficiency system before high temperatures are here can be better than waiting for “just one more summer.” Although that has always been the case, it’s more true today than ever before.