Top 5 Summer HVAC Maintenance Tips To Keep Your Home Cool
As we move into summer and the weather gets hotter, don’t forget to ensure that your HVAC system is in good working order. Routine HVAC maintenance is crucial to keeping your home comfortable and cool all summer long. Not only that, a well-maintained system runs more efficiently and can even help you save on energy bills.
Here are five of our top summer HVAC maintenance tips to follow to keep your home cool and enjoy a worry-free summer.
1. Clean or Replace Air Filters Regularly
One of the simplest maintenance tasks you can perform is regularly cleaning or replacing your air filter. Filters remove dust, hair, allergens, and other particles from the air. This improves your home’s air quality and keeps your HVAC system working efficiently.
Dirty filters are less effective than new, clean filters and can significantly reduce your HVAC system’s efficiency. Over time, this can lead to higher energy consumption and higher bills and possibly even damage your system.
How often should you replace your air filters? As a general guideline, most manufacturers recommend changing your filter at least once every three months. However, you may need to change your filter more often based on your location and your family’s lifestyle.
For instance, if you have pets, changing your filter every one to two months can help keep your HVAC system clean and free from fur and dander. If someone in your family has a respiratory condition or allergies, changing your filter once every month may help them breathe easier.
2. Check and Adjust Your Thermostat Settings
Your thermostat plays an important role in maintaining a comfortable home temperature. It also helps you optimize your energy use year-round.
During the summer, set your thermostat as high as is comfortable for you when you’re at home. While you’re away, keep it set even warmer, reducing the need for your air conditioner to run in an empty house.
Still have a manual thermostat? Consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. These easy-to-use systems allow you to set up schedules and adjust your home’s temperature remotely. Smart thermostats can even automatically build an optimized heating and cooling schedule based on your family’s schedule and the weather outside. With an automated cooling schedule in place, you’ll return every day to a comfortable, cool home.
Plus, by reducing your use of your AC when no one’s home, you’ll be able to save money on your electric bill—up to 10 percent.
3. Inspect and Clean Ductwork
Ductwork is the pathway through which cool air travels to reach every room in your home. For your HVAC system to work as efficiently as possible, it’s important that your ducts are clean and free of leaks and clogs. Blocked or leaky ducts are inefficient and can lead to inconsistent cooling around your home and higher energy bills.
The best way to ensure your ductwork is in working order is to get a once-yearly professional inspection and cleaning. A technician will look for signs of dust, debris, mold, leaks, or other issues in your ducts.
They will then seal any leaks with tape or sealant and thoroughly clean out your ducts, removing any accumulated dust and debris. This maintenance work is vital to keep cool air running smoothly and efficiently throughout your home.
4. Clean and Maintain Your Outdoor Unit
Your outdoor condenser unit is a vital component of your HVAC system. It works a lot like a radiator in a car, taking the heat that your system’s refrigerant absorbs from your indoor air and expelling it into the air outside.
However, this unit gets exposed to the elements every day. Its surface, fins, and other components can quickly accumulate dirt, dust, leaves, grass clippings, and other debris. If your outdoor unit is dirty or clogged, its airflow may be obstructed, making it difficult to release heat efficiently.
As a result, it will take longer and use more energy to cool down your home. This could result in higher bills. Over time, a lack of airflow can even lead to system failure.
Regular cleaning and maintenance are key to keeping your outdoor unit working smoothly. Don’t wait until your system breaks on the hottest day of the year.
You can deep clean your outdoor unit yourself with the right tools and safety gear, but the easiest and safest option is to call a professional. They will be able to clean your unit and repair any problems they encounter. Ideally, maintenance should be done every spring to remove winter buildup and get your system ready for hot summer weather.
Throughout the rest of the year, you can help maintain your unit by keeping its surface free of debris and cleaning up the surrounding area every time you do yard work. Trim any nearby shrubs and plants to allow for at least two feet of clearance around the unit.
5. Schedule Regular Professional Maintenance
There are many simple ways you as a homeowner can keep your HVAC system maintained and efficient throughout the year. However, we still recommend having a professional inspect and service your HVAC system. An experienced technician will be able to catch potential issues that you may miss, preventing minor problems from becoming major costly repairs down the road.
During a scheduled maintenance visit, a technician will check all components of your home’s HVAC system, including units, ductwork, and electrical components. They will conduct a detailed cleaning of your indoor and outdoor units, check refrigerant levels, and lubricate moving parts as necessary. They can also do a carbon monoxide check to ensure your family is safe.
Annual professional maintenance helps your HVAC system run more efficiently, extending the life of your whole system and even lowering your energy bills. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your family will stay cool all summer long.
Looking for a professional, reliable HVAC service that will always call you back? All Weather Heating & Cooling has offered our HVAC services to Ohio homeowners for over 25 years. Contact us today to schedule HVAC maintenance for your home.