Summer HVAC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
Air conditioning units can keep you comfortably cool, particularly during the Florida summer when the heat is intense. Given the situation, your HVAC system is used more frequently than usual. Thus, it may have trouble operating at a high enough level to deliver acceptable indoor air quality. So, you should include HVAC maintenance in your summer schedule.
Below are HVAC maintenance tips for homeowners like you to avoid unexpected AC breakdowns while coping with the hot weather. Read this blog to learn more.
Maintain the Cleanliness of AC Filters
Replacing the filter in your air conditioning system regularly keeps your unit working properly and your energy bills lower. Normally, most Heating and Air Conditioning companies and air filter manufacturers recommend replacing your air filter every 3 months. However, that can change based on if you have any pets, where your home is located (ex. dusty, pollen count), and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets in the home, you should consider changing your filter every 2 months, and for homes with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it’s recommend changing your filter every 20-45 days. As you learn your HVAC system, start by checking your filter every few weeks, take out your filter and see if it’s covered in dust or is there is a musty odor. This will help you determine how often it should be changed.
Adjust the Thermostat Settings
Since summer is here, your thermostat should also be in line with the season. Adjust the program settings of your thermostat so that your cooling devices can regulate the hotter indoor temperature during the summer month. Available for purchase and installation are thermostats like the Nest. These thermostats quickly learn the temperatures your family prefers at different times throughout the day and adjusts itself accordingly. The Nest Learning Thermostat is proven to help save energy and lower bills. In independent studies, the Nest Thermostat saved users an average of 10-12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills.
Remove Any Debris Stuck in the Condenser Unit
Debris that gets into the outdoor condenser unit of your AC can create problems, causing the device to struggle to operate efficiently. That’s why you should always ensure that potential blockages like grass clippings, mulch, dirt, leaves, and plants are properly cut and placed away from the outside unit.
It is best to have enough space for your outdoor condenser to avoid obstructions. Unblocking fins and keeping them clean allow airflow to circulate freely so that the AC can give off quality indoor air for your home regardless of the weather outside.
Call HVAC Technicians for Tune-Ups
A malfunctioning system leaves your family in the heat and your home unbearably uncomfortable. Preventative service plans are designed to keep an HVAC system in top peak performance. These plans are much more than just a simple cleaning and maintenance. The tasks that service technicians perform go way beyond changing air filters and testing the thermostat. Most HVAC contractors have a very long checkpoint list of items to inspect and tasks to perform.
So, if you want a trouble-free summer, schedule a preventive HVAC maintenance, AC tune-up or repair before the hot weather kicks in. Contact HVAC experts from Bounds Heating & Air in Newberry and Gainesville, FL for an appointment and let them inspect your AC to be summer-ready.