5 Musts to Rev Your HVAC Cooling System Up Before Summer
There’s nothing like the sweltering heat to make you feel as though summer has you beat. But this is a match you can win as long as you plan ahead. In order to keep your cool during summer, you should inspect your HVAC cooling system now to make sure everything is good to go before temperatures start rising. Here are our five musts to rev your HVAC cooling system up before the hot summer months.
1. Change Your Air Filters
It seems like such a simple thing, but more often than not, people forget to change their HVAC air filters or don’t change them as often as they should. So how often should you be changing them?
That depends on a number of factors. First of all, the type of air filter you have will determine how frequently it should be changed. Pleated air filters are typically made from better quality materials and only need to be switched out once every few months. Fiberglass filters, on the other hand, should be changed once every 30 days.
Environmental factors also impact how often your filters should be changed. For instance, if you have pets, smoke, or own a larger home, your air filters will likely become clogged more often. Likewise, if you have allergies or other health issues, you may also need to change your air filters on a more regular basis.
2. Clean the Air Ducts
Clogged air ducts can also impact your indoor air quality. Just like air filters, your ducts can become clogged with dirt and debris. Those particles can then be circulated throughout your home from the supply registers, which can negatively impact your family’s health. So before summer hits, inspect them to see if they need to be cleaned.
For instance, if you notice the presence of mold or dust, it may be a sign that you should schedule a duct cleaning with a trusted HVAC technician. In fact, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, some research suggests that cleaning your entire HVAC system—such as condenser coils, fans, and heat exchangers—may improve overall system efficiency. This can lengthen your unit’s life span and lead to increased maintenance cost savings. More on that in just a bit.
If you’re uncertain whether to schedule an air duct cleaning, a reputable HVAC technician can assess whether one is necessary. The EPA also has some good advice on its site about when to have your ducts cleaned, how to know if the duct cleaning was done properly, and how to prevent duct contamination once they’ve been cleaned.
3. Invest In a Programmable Thermostat
If you haven’t already, we highly recommend investing in a programmable thermostat. If you install one now, you can benefit from the increased comfort levels and energy savings they provide during the hot summer months when you’re likely to use your HVAC cooling system the most.
Programmable thermostats allow you to adjust the thermostat so that you’re using your HVAC cooling system on an as-needed basis instead of running it all the time. For instance, you can program the thermostat to raise the temperature when you know you’re going to be away from home, like when you’re at work or out of town for a few days. You can then program your thermostat to return to your preferred temperature before you arrive home.
Programmable thermostats are one of the easiest and most economical ways to save on heating and cooling costs, while also keeping your home at an ideal comfort level.
4. Schedule Routine Maintenance
We know a lot of people want to skimp when it comes to routine maintenance. After all, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” right? Not always. We actually go by a different motto here. At Entek, we believe prevention is the best solution. When it comes to your HVAC cooling system, preventative maintenance may cost you up-front, but it will save you exponentially more in the long run.
It’s a good rule of thumb to have your HVAC unit serviced twice a year, once in the spring before summertime and again in the fall before the winter months. Not only does preventative maintenance help your unit last longer and run more smoothly, but it will also give you peace of mind knowing it’s unlikely you’ll have any issues pop up during the peak summer months.
The last thing you want is for your unit to stop working on a hot summer night. Save yourself the expense and headache by keeping your unit well-maintained.
5. Request an Energy Assessment
There’s more to heating and cooling your home than simply keeping your HVAC unit up and running. You should also have a home that is well insulated and free from air leaks. In fact, we take a holistic approach to heating and cooling, meaning we believe in adopting a whole-house philosophy. That’s why we highly recommend scheduling a home performance energy test.
During a home performance energy test, an HVAC technician will use scientific testing methods to assess where your home is losing energy and how it could perform better. Our BPI-certified building science professionals use a range of tests that include a blower door test to determine where sealing is needed, and an air test and balance to improve airflow.
Afterward, we’ll go over the test results with you and present a range of solutions to bring your home to an optimal state of comfort and energy efficiency. Right now, we’re even offering home performance energy tests at a reduced cost.
We believe you can have increased comfort levels while also saving money, and we want to help you do that. So get your HVAC cooling system revved up just in time for summer by giving us a call. That way we can help ensure you stay comfortable all summer long.
