Summer’s arrival brings one of the biggest tests for your home’s HVAC system. The time to prepare is before the peak of summer heat arrives. With several targeted choices now, you can save money and reduce the odds that you’ll be sweating in the summer heat because the AC gave out.
Why Preparing for Summer Matters
Even if you’re highly confident that your HVAC system will last the whole summer, it is a good idea to request some basic maintenance. As an AC unit ages, it typically loses about five percent of its efficiency each year. This quickly adds up to your electric bills.
Preparedness also reduces the risk that your AC system will unexpectedly fail. With regular maintenance, you might extend your AC system’s lifespan by five to ten years. Premature replacements of components can cost thousands of dollars, especially if a key system like the compressor fails.
Be aware that aging AC systems also tend to drift out spec a bit each year. Consequently, the temperature and humidity levels could be off significantly after a few years of neglect. That likely means a stickier summer.
Tasks Homeowners Can Handle
Homeowners can deal with a handful of low-cost HVAC maintenance tasks that make a big difference. Foremost, filter replacement is a small job that’s a big deal. Check the air filters every month. Normally, you can expect to replacement every two to three months. However, monthly checks are important during the highest usage period because filters can clog quickly. Also, regular checks are good for households with pets. Likewise, you should perform monthly checks if anyone in your household has a respiratory issue.
Clearing potential obstructions from your HVAC unit’s outdoor components is another easy job to handle. Your goal should be to keep vegetation at least three feet from the AC’s condenser unit. Make sure when you mow that you aim grass clippings away from the system, too. There should also be at least five feet of clearance above the system.
Many people install a gravel perimeter around the HVAC system’s exterior parts to discourage vegetation growth. You should also consider only planting low-pollen plants on the side of your property near the condenser unit.
Make sure that your home’s vents are clean and unobstructed. Most vents are removable, and the period before summer is a good time to take them out and wash them. Use a bit of water and dish soap. If you see spots that look a bit grungy, lightly and repeatedly scrub them with a toothbrush until the area is clean. Let the vents dry completely before reattaching them.
Verify that the vents are at least 80 percent open. Also, make sure that nearby furniture and curtains aren’t obstructing any vents or air returns.
These small tasks can typically improve system efficiency by 5 to 30 percent during peak cooling months. That matters when your AC bill may be running north of $100 a month.
Scheduling Outdoor Maintenance
Our air conditioning maintenance technicians are available to handle the other HVAC maintenance work. We will turn off the system for safety reasons and likely begin cleaning the condenser unit. Coils can get dirty from airborne pollution and plant debris. We have specialized tools to comb between the condenser’s fins and to safely clean around the coils.
We will restart the AC to check for potential issues. Our technicians will listen for hissing sounds that might indicate refrigerant leaks. We also will check for ice formation that’s often connected to issues with refrigerant and coils. Likewise, we also check for signs of metal corrosion.
Indoor Preparation
Indoor preparation represents the bulk of the work. Our technicians usually start with small tasks that shorten the diagnostic process if they run into a problem later. For example, cleaning the drain line is a small job that can avoid expensive problems. We will make sure the drain line is carrying condensation away quickly and without leaving behind a pool of water that could damage your home or raise the humidity level.
Our technicians will also check the thermostat. We will test that it is communicating with the HVAC system’s main control panel and that the data is accurate. This includes verifying what the temperature and humidity levels are in the house. If necessary, we can adjust the thermostat or replace faulty sensors. If the thermostat uses a battery, this is a good time to replace it. We will also test the electrical inputs to make sure the AC is operating within specifications.
Thermostat programming is a good way to save money over the summer. Our technicians can tune your thermostat to maximize savings. If your home doesn’t currently have a smart thermostat, we recommend installing one. For a few hundred dollars, you will get greater control over when your AC kicks on. For example, you can program your AC to operate less often when no one is home. In many cases, smart thermostats pay for themselves within one or two summers.
Cleaning and lubricating moving parts annually are very important. Our technicians will locate and lubricate components like the main blower motor and any auxiliary fans. With everything lubricated, we will cycle the AC and listen for any sounds. We will also check for any unusual smells that could indicate mechanical or electrical failures. Grinding, banging and squealing sounds may indicate metal-on-metal contact. If necessary, we will replace moving parts that are starting to wear out.
This is also a good chance to check how well the AC’s performance cycling is working. We will note how long the cycle takes and how soon the system tries to initiate another cycle. Short cycling is often a sign that an AC requires repairs. There are plenty of things that could be going wrong when short cycling happens, including compressor and capacitor failures that may lead to more costly repairs down the road.
Our technicians will verify that the refrigerant levels are good. If there appears to be a drop in refrigerant, we will check for leaks. Once we’re sure the refrigeration loop is tight, we will recharge the system. If you often find yourself forgetting to schedule maintenance, our Comfort Club plan makes scheduling easy and includes money-saving perks and discounts.
Possible Upgrades
If you’re considering HVAC upgrades, this is the time. Adding a dehumidifier, for example, can significantly reduce your electric bill and improve indoor air quality. Drier air has less thermal mass, and that makes cooling every unit of dry air cheaper. Air purification and scrubbing systems will contribute to improved efficiency, too. Adding a whole-house fan is another way to improve efficiency by creating a better heat draw. Installing a smart thermostat is a good plan, too.
You may also want to adopt HVAC zoning. This is a system using a combination of dampers, fans and control units that allows you to target heating and cooling to specific areas. You might create one zone for your house’s sun-facing side and another for the cooler area. Many people also configure upstairs and downstairs zones, especially if they have large houses.
If you have a home in Wilmington, NC, or the surrounding area, contact our air conditioning services pros at Green Dot Heating & Air today to discuss preparing your HVAC system for summer.
