As the cold winter weather dissipates and it starts to heat up outside, we’re sure you’re planning out some fun summertime activities. However, it’s important to remember to show your cooling system some love. There are a few things that you’ll want to do to ensure that it’s ready to take on its long summertime run.
Schedule Professional Service
As spring rolls in, it’s time to schedule maintenance service for your AC system. You want to choose a licensed professional who is experienced with performing regular cooling system maintenance. They will inspect your entire system to make sure that it’s working efficiently. An efficiently operating cooling system means the most energy savings on your utility bills throughout the summertime.
It’s important to realize that most cooling system manufacturers require you to have a licensed professional perform maintenance on your system at least once a year to maintain its warranty coverage. Apart from keeping your warranty active, professional maintenance also helps to alert you to any problems with your system while they’re small. This way, you can get them fixed before they become even costlier.
Clean Up Your Outside AC Unit
On the outside of your home, there will be a condenser unit that is responsible for emitting heat that was pulled out of the air in your home to the outdoors. It’s not uncommon for wintertime wind gusts to push debris up against this unit. You’ll need to make it a chore to remove any debris, like leaves, that is stuck up against the housing of your outdoor AC unit.
If debris is left to clog the unit, it won’t be able to adequately cool your home. Even worse, it can cause unnecessary wear and tear on the internal components of your outdoor condenser unit. Apart from removing debris, make sure that you trim back any greenery that is within a 3-foot radius of the unit. You want adequate airflow surrounding your outdoor AC unit for it to function properly.
Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
As new HVAC technology arrives in the general marketplace, you should consider investing in it. A smart thermostat allows you to easily control and program the settings you want on your thermostat. From being alerted to when your air filter needs to be changed to getting suggestions for settings that will save you money on your energy bills, you can’t go wrong with a smart thermostat.
If you have an old thermostat that you simply set one temperature on for the entire summertime, you’re really not optimizing your energy usage. With a smart thermostat, you can program different temperatures depending on what time it is or what day of the week it is. This way, you can save money by having a higher temperature set in the daytime when no one is home.
Stock Up on Air Filters
Your HVAC system will have an air filter that is responsible for removing unwanted airborne particles from the air inside your home. This filter needs to be changed on a regular basis. Otherwise, it will cause a restriction in the airflow of your cooling system, which can lead to an uncomfortable environment and excessive wear and tear on your system’s components.
On average, most homeowners find that they need to replace their HVAC air filter every two to three months. You’ll want to check the state of your filter every month and replace it when you can no longer see through it. It’s always a good idea to have a few extra filters on hand so that you can easily change it. Make sure to check your existing filter to get the right model number, as you can only put in filters that have the same model number.
Get Your Ductwork Cleaned
Throughout both the summertime and wintertime, airborne particles are pulled into your ducting. Many of these particles can get trapped inside of your ductwork. Given the fact that your ductwork tends to remain dark and cool, it’s also the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew.
Getting your ductwork cleaned out is a great way to help remove these unwanted growths and airborne particles. Experts recommend having your ductwork cleaned by a professional every three to five years. Those with severe allergies or a respiratory condition may benefit from having their ducting cleaned more frequently.
Consider Adding Indoor Air Quality Upgrades
With each home being a little bit different from the next, it’s no surprise that some people may find that they benefit from adding indoor air quality upgrades to their homes. If you find that it’s constantly humid inside your home, consider adding a whole-home dehumidifier. This will get rid of that excess moisture and keep your family feeling cooler throughout the hot summer months.
If you’re constantly struggling with allergy symptoms while indoors, it’s a good idea to invest in an air scrubber for your HVAC system. This will help to remove some of those smaller airborne particles that your existing HVAC filter may be missing. This technology is typically recommended for homes where people suffer from severe allergies and/or respiratory conditions.
Check Your Air Vents
As part of your centralized air conditioning system, there are going to be vents in each main room of your home. Each room will have both a supply and return vent that is responsible for circulating air throughout the room. Over time, it’s not uncommon to accidently place items in front of these vents. Do yourself a favor and walk around your home to check for obstructions at your vents. They should have a good 3 feet of direct space around them to operate optimally.
Consider Sealing Your Ductwork
As the weather changes, your ducting will expand and contract. You may hear this happening with some slight tinging sounds throughout your walls or floors. While this is completely normal, it can lead to gapping in your ductwork over time. Additionally, your ducting can develop pinhole leaks that can allow your treated air to escape into your wall and floor cavities.
As your air conditioning system produces cold air, some of it can be lost on its way to the rooms throughout your home. This can require your AC system to run more often to combat that loss of air. Fortunately, investing in professional ductwork sealing is a great way to help close those gaps and holes. By sealing up your ducting, you’ll not only save money on your utility bills, but it will actually work to enhance your indoor air quality level as well. This is because your leaky ductwork will no longer be pulling dirty debris from your wall cavities into your ducting.
Your Local Reliable AC Service Provider
Conway Comfort Heating & Cooling offers reliable air conditioning service for Hamilton Township, NJ and the surrounding area. Our highly trained technicians can also assist with all of your heating, commercial HVAC, and indoor air quality needs. Simply give our office a call today to schedule your next service appointment.
