HVAC Do’s and Don’ts Before Summer Hits

It’s that time of year when many families are preparing for summertime fun. But it’s also a great time to be sure all of your home systems are ready to handle the added workload that comes with rising temps.

Without a doubt, a home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one item that does an awful a lot of work during the summer months. Here, a Service Experts specialist shares seven do’s and don’ts to consider 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 failures. 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 crews get busy during the hot 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 operating. Routine maintenance also may help keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty active, which aids you in case a key component stops working 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 Postpone 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 reasoning, 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 already bought one, upgrading to a smart thermostat may minimize wear and tear on your heating and cooling equipment. Think about this: Energy savings estimates can vary from as low as 12% a year to greater than 20%. Your best choice is to go with an Energy Star®-certified thermostat, Carson advised, 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 option to take advantage of reduced electricity rates during off-peak hours.

Don’t Use an Extremely Restrictive Air Filter

Consistently changing your air filter is crucial; however, there are many different filters to choose from. Certain types can be tremendously restrictive, promising to remove all viruses and contaminants. While they may successfully remove many contaminants, these highly restrictive filters might also slow airflow and possibly make your unit work harder. When you set up your tune-up, it’s a good plan to ask the technician for a recommendation, Carson added.

Do De-Clutter and Eliminate Obstructions

This is not only a hint about household clutter, but more about removing the airflow obstacles inside and outside of your home. First, in your home’s interior, if air vents are hindered by furniture or household items, that can limit ventilation into that room or zone. That means your air conditioning will need to run longer to get the air temperature to the temperature set on your thermostat.

The other area where obstructions can cause trouble is near your condenser coil outside the house. Some residents 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 remarked. “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 crucial to the health of your residence—and the people living in it. Pollen and airborne contaminants 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 a couple of signals your home is due for an air duct cleaning:

• Mold was found in the home or on the inside of the AC.
• Dust comes from vents when the blower comes on.
• A renovation that caused 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 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.