Summer is the season many people look forward to because it is full of fun activities. It is an opportunity to spend time outdoors on the longest days of the year. This season also brings heat and humidity that we want to avoid indoors. With the summer heat just around the corner, HVAC professionals are busy inspecting homes to ensure families have a cool and comfortable season.
To prepare your air conditioning system for the summer, you must keep some important points in mind. Continue reading to find out what you can do to prepare your home for a cool summer season!
Schedule an Inspection With Your HVAC Company
Before doing anything to your air conditioning system, the first step is to call your trusted HVAC company for a professional inspection. It needs regular maintenance for your air conditioning system to work optimally all year long. This will ensure that your system is effective while staying energy efficient.
Consistent maintenance on your system also prolongs its life and prevents costly repairs. During the appointment, let the HVAC professional know anything unusual you have noticed with your system. Perhaps you have heard a noise or detected an odor coming from the vents or unit. The visit is also an opportunity to ask questions such as how to program the humidity settings.
A comprehensive HVAC maintenance visit includes a full inspection, cleaning the vents and other components, assessing wear and tear, and repairing or replacing anything damaged or missing.
Ensure All Ductwork Is Intact and Clean
Your home’s air conditioning system includes the ductwork that runs through your house. The ductwork distributes the air to various parts of the home. A thorough inspection includes checking for any leaks or damaged parts. Ignoring these details can make your air conditioning system less energy efficient.
Leaks will make your HVAC system work harder to maintain the set temperature. It will certainly amount to higher energy costs. Leaks can also introduce dirt and moisture into the ductwork. The dirt can restrict airflow, and moisture contributes to mold growth. Both these conditions can dramatically lower your indoor comfort.
To ensure your air conditioning system works optimally this summer, be sure an HVAC professional repairs all holes, cracks, or loose connections in your ductwork.
Check Your Filter
Generally, most HVAC manufacturers recommend changing your filter every 90 days. However, you must check the brand and model of your HVAC system because not all of them are the same. An HVAC professional can guide you so that you can know the correct filter instructions.
Other things that impact how often you should change your filter are the age of your system, if your home has pets, and the type of climate where you reside. Some places are dusty and dry while others are hot are humid.
Quality indoor air can help prevent your family from developing allergies or respiratory conditions. Filters capture dust, debris, and other particles. Dirty filters can make your HVAC system lose efficiency. Changing your filter is an easy step you can take to ensure you breathe healthy air.
Check the Condition of Your Thermostat
The thermostat is one of the most important components of your air conditioning system. It is responsible for regulating the temperature of your home. When it malfunctions, your AC system will not cool your home accurately.
If you have an older HVAC system, chances are that you have a manual thermostat, which has fewer features. Consider installing an upgrade that features a programmable thermostat. This feature allows you to set the desired temperature in your home on an automatic schedule.
These are some signs that your thermostat is not working properly:
- Has no power
- You cannot turn on or off the AC or heat
- Not reading the correct temperature
- Not unresponsive
- Short cycling
- Forgets programmed settings
Let your HVAC professional know if you have noticed any of these signs and how often it occurs.
Clean the Condenser Coils
Your AC must have intact and clean condenser coils to keep up with the summer heat. These components transfer heat from your home and drive it into the outside air. When condenser coils become clogged or dirty, your HVAC system will not be efficient, meaning it must work harder and cost more to operate.
An HVAC professional cleans the coils during a maintenance appointment. It is not recommended to attempt this task on your own. Professionals have the appropriate tools for the job. A soft brush or cloth gently removes dust, debris, or dirt. An HVAC professional can unclog coils using a special cleaner.
Be Sure Your Air Vents Are Clean
Your air vents are on the walls, floors, or ceilings of your home. They are the last air conditioning system component that distributes the cool air inside a room. These parts must be thoroughly cleaned from dust and anything that may accumulate on them.
The air vents are typically cleaned by beginning the process with a vacuum cleaner to suction any large particles and dust bunnies. Then, a soft cloth or brush cleans them well. If necessary, you may need to unscrew some air vents for deeper cleaning and reinstall them. Be sure to receive the guidance of your HVAC company before attempting this task yourself.
Check Coolant Lines
Finally, during a maintenance visit, the technician will check the coolant lines to prepare your air conditioning system for summer. The HVAC professional will check pipes and refrigerant tubes that connect your AC system’s evaporator on the air handler to the outdoor condenser.
These important lines have foam coolant insulation around them. Sometimes the insulation gets damaged or is missing. If so, replacing the insulation with new foam sleeves or wrapping them with foam insulation tape is necessary.
Check for Signs of Low Refrigerant Levels
It may be possible that your system’s refrigerant level is running low. If that happens, you may notice no or insufficient cooling. Look for these common signs that suggest your refrigerant levels are running low.
Your HVAC System Is Making an Unusual Noise
You will quickly notice when your HVAC system is making an unfamiliar noise. If you hear hissing or bubbling, the air conditioning refrigerant may be leaking. A hissing noise may mean that the refrigerant is escaping in gas form. In comparison, a bubbling sound may be an indication that the refrigerant is escaping in liquid form.
Presence of Frost or Ice
A low refrigerant level can cause the temperature to excessively decrease, causing a buildup of frost or ice on the refrigerant lines or evaporator coil.
Higher Energy Costs
If your utility bill is higher than usual, it may be due to a refrigerant leak. The system won’t be able to remove as much heat during a cycle, which requires the system to run longer to achieve the set temperature.
Choose a Trusted HVAC Company
For more than 20 years, Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating has provided excellent service to Bastrop, TX and the surrounding area. Our team has highly trained professionals with the hands-on experience to ensure your HVAC system is ready for summer.
We also provide maintenance to your furnace to prepare your home for cold winter days. At Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating, our team is also trained to help you improve your indoor air quality. Ask us how! To prepare your air conditioning system for the summer, call Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating today!