HVAC Do’s and Don’ts Before Summer Hits

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

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 season. Here, a Service Experts specialist shares seven strategies 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 problems. Even though anything can happen when a system is working hard, getting your AC, furnace and other HVAC components tuned up before maintenance crews get busy during the scorching summer season can certainly help you head off costly repairs later. Plus, it also includes a status check for how your system is currently functioning. Routine maintenance also may help keep your valuable manufacturer’s warranty effective, which aids you in case a key component breaks during the warranty period.

African American man adjusting the temperature on the thermostat of his house - home automation concepts

“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 advises 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 expensive repairs down the line.

Man replacing a filter on a home air conditioning system.

“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 already done so, upgrading to a smart thermostat can reduce 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 option is to go with an Energy Star®-certified thermostat, Carson recommended, and ask an HVAC pro about how to set cooling times that align with your daily schedule. In some areas, you also may be able to take advantage of lower electricity rates during off-peak hours.

Don’t Use an Overly Restrictive Air Filter

Routinely changing your air filter is essential; however, there are a lot of different filters to choose from. Some can be extremely restrictive, promising to trap 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 set up your tune-up, it’s a good strategy to ask the mechanic for a recommendation, Carson added.

Do De-Clutter and Eliminate Obstructions

This is not only a tip about household clutter, but more about removing the airflow barriers inside and outside of your home. First, in your home’s interior, if air vents are blocked by furniture or household items, that can reduce the flow of air into that room or area. That means your cooling system will be forced to run longer to get the air temperature to the level set on your thermostat.

The other place where obstructions can cause trouble is around 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!

Bag of repairman's work tools, gloves on top of air conditioner units outside a brick home. Service industry, working class.

“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 Overlook Your Air Ducts

Clean air ducts are indispensable to the health of your residence—and the people living in it. Pollen and airborne toxins from sprays, cooking, candles, fireplaces and off-gassing items can all reside inside your air ducts and cause problems for people suffering from asthma and allergies.

Here are a few indicators your home might need an air duct cleaning:

Mold has been discovered in the home or on the inside of the air conditioning unit.
Dust comes from vents when the blower is turned on.
A renovation that generated significant dust has recently been done.

Do Consider a High-Efficiency HVAC 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.” Though that has always been a good idea, it’s more true now than ever before.