2024 is predicted to either match or surpass last year in terms of warmth, making it the hottest year in history. As summer arrives, maintaining an efficient HVAC (Heating Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system becomes essential to keeping indoor comfort high.
HVAC units keep homes cool during hot spells but need regular upkeep if we want them to continue doing their jobs effectively and avoid expensive repairs. In the following article, we present essential summer HVAC maintenance tips every homeowner must be mindful of to keep their system operating at top performance and avoid expensive repair expenses.
Choosing a Professional HVAC Inspection Company
To secure the durability and effectiveness of your HVAC system, it is crucial that you rely on a trusted inspection company. Professional HVAC inspections can identify upcoming problems in time and guarantee the top functioning of your system.
Make sure the company has technicians certified to conduct thorough assessments on all parts of your air conditioning and heating system including the furnace, air conditioner, ducts, and thermostat. Inspections regularly help in finding and dealing with small issues before they become big, which saves you from spending money on repairs and enhances the trustworthiness of your system.
Make sure to give importance to proactive maintenance by setting up frequent HVAC inspections with a reliable service provider. This way, all the money you save on electricity bills can go towards your summer vacation fund!
Clean and Replace Air Filters
Regularly changing air filters is one of the easiest, yet most effective, ways to ensure that your HVAC system runs at peak performance. Over time, air filters collect various forms of debris which clog their flow causing strain on power units. They then need extra strength in order to push past obstacles that lie between airflow. This simple act keeps everything running efficiently!
Increased workload not only drives up energy usage but can increase risk to key parts of the HVAC system as well. To protect its effectiveness and ensure longevity, for optimal operation it’s wise to have regular check-ups performed and filters changed every 1-3 months – especially during those months when they’re used more often.
Check and Clean Condenser Coils
Your HVAC’s condenser coils play a pivotal role in dissipating heat away from the refrigerant. However, over time dirt may accumulate on these coils making it more difficult for them to transfer heat efficiently.
Therefore, condenser coils need to be regularly checked and cleaned so as to maintain proper functionality. Lightly brush or use a vacuum cleaner for dirt collection before considering professional services as necessary for deeper-seated coils.
Inspect and Clean Evaporator Coils
In the same way, dirt and dust can collect on the evaporator coils of your HVAC system as well. This makes it less efficient and forces the system to work harder. To keep performance at the best possible level, yearly checks and cleanings for evaporator coils are advised.
Use a coil cleaner or make a solution with water and mild detergent to clean them from any buildup properly. Treat them carefully and don’t scrub too hard, as you might damage them.
Check Refrigerant Levels
Maintaining the right refrigerant levels in your HVAC system is very important for it to work efficiently. If there is not enough refrigerant, this can diminish the cooling power, create more energy use, and also harm the compressor.
There is not much you can do when it comes to this, except to call for a professional who will check and fill up refrigerant levels when necessary. Do not try to handle refrigerant yourself. It needs special equipment and knowledge to do this in a safe and successful manner. By giving this job to experts who are trained, you make sure that your HVAC system works well and lasts long.
Test and Calibrate the Thermostat
Your thermostat has a very important job: it controls the temperature inside and looks after the operations of your HVAC system. Before summer starts, you should test and calibrate your thermostat carefully to make sure it gives accurate temperature readings and cooling cycles work well.
Change any old or broken thermostats quickly so they don’t create differences in temperatures or put too much pressure on your HVAC system. This proactive approach ensures consistent comfort and optimal performance throughout the summer months.
Bottom Line
To have a nice and cool home in summer, it’s important to keep your HVAC system working well. This includes things like cleaning or changing filters regularly, looking at the condenser and evaporator coils, checking if there’s enough refrigerant for proper cooling, and making sure the thermostat is set correctly.
These simple actions can help you lengthen the life of your HVAC system while also avoiding expensive repairs. Don’t forget to plan for yearly professional maintenance on your HVAC and contact a professional, so that hidden problems are handled and it continues to work well for years to come.
