HVAC Do’s and Don’ts Before Summer Hits

It’s that time of year when many homeowners are planning 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 additional workload that comes with soaring weather.

Without a doubt, a home’s heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is one item that does some hard work} during the summer months. Here, a Service Experts specialist shares seven do’s and don’ts to keep in mind when preparing your cooling system for summer.

Do Get an HVAC Tune-Up

A biannual HVAC tune-up can act as an insurance plan against future breakdowns. Although anything can happen when a system is being used quite a bit, getting your AC, furnace and other HVAC components tuned up before crews get busy during the sweltering summer season can undoubtedly help you head off costly repairs later. Plus, it also offers a status check for how your system is currently performing. Annual maintenance also may help keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty valid, which supports 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 Delay Repairs

When a specialist recommends repairs during a tune-up or if they come up unexpectedly, some homeowners think they can stretch out the use of the part or component for “just one more summer.” This reasoning, however, only leads to more pricey repairs in the future.

“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 done it already, upgrading to a smart thermostat may minimize wear and tear on your HVAC system. Think about this: Energy savings estimates can vary from as low as 12% a year to higher 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 line up with your daily habits. In some areas, you also may have the ability to take advantage of reduced electricity rates during off-peak hours.

Don’t Use an Extremely Restrictive Air Filter

Regularly changing your air filter is crucial; however, there are many different filters to choose from. Some can be tremendously restrictive, promising to trap all viruses and contaminants. While they may efficiently remove many contaminants, these highly restrictive filters might also choke airflow and very well could make your unit work harder. When you set up your tune-up, it’s a good strategy to ask the HVAC professional for a recommendation, Carson added.

Do De-Clutter and Clear Away Obstructions

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

The other area where obstructions can cause trouble is close to your condenser coil outside the residence. Some homeowners see these as an eyesore and attempt to cover them up with shrubbery 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 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 well-being of your home—and the people living in it. Pollen and airborne contaminants from sprays, cooking, candles, fireplaces and off-gassing items can all stay inside your air ducts and cause issues for people who have asthma and allergies.

Here are some signs your home is due for an air duct cleaning:

• Mold is in the home or within the air conditioning unit.
• Dust blows out of 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 modern, high-efficiency system before high temperatures are here can be better than waiting for “just one more summer.” Although that has always been true, it’s more true these days than ever before.