While the summer period brings a break for many individuals, it’s the hardest working period for your HVAC equipment. While many use HVAC systems and air conditioning interchangeably, HVAC covers a greater range of temperature control and ventilation components in your house.
The components of your HVAC system include a furnace, thermostat, vents, condensing units, and refrigerant lines. These components require regular check-ups and maintenance, especially before summer, for optimal performance.
Here are a few tips to ensure your home’s HVAC equipment works reliably and efficiently, during summer. Read on to learn more.
1. Schedule For Professional Maintenance
One of the best ways to ensure your HVAC systems work all summer efficiently is by scheduling yearly check-ups with a qualified HVAC expert. During the appointment, the technicians do the following:
- Inspect all indoor and outdoor components of your system, including the compressor, evaporator, and condenser, to ensure they’re in optimal condition
- Inspect and troubleshoot any potential damage to your system and repair it before they escalate any further
- Inspect all your electrical connections to ensure they’re in optimal shape
- Thoroughly clean your components to ensure they’re unobstructed by dirt and that they’re able to absorb and release heat. This also includes cleaning and replacing your Air filters and fans if necessary.
Routine inspections by an expert are essential as they help you save money by avoiding costly repairs since they can identify potential problems early on before they escalate. This allows your HVAC system to work efficiently and increases its lifespan. You may want to check out HVAC installation Colorado Springs if you’re looking for a reliable heating and cooling repair technician.
2. Clean Or Replace Your Filters Regularly
Cleaning or replacing your filters is one of the easiest but most effective ways to maintain your HVAC system. With continued use of your system, AC filters accumulate dirt and dust, thus getting clogged. This prevents proper air circulation in your AC system and decreases the cooling system’s power.
To clean your filter, follow these steps:
- Turn off your HVAC system. It ensures that dirty air doesn’t circulate through the system to your house.
- Locate the HVAC unit’s panel, and open it to remove the filter. Some units have several filters; make sure to locate all of them.
- Vacuum the filters to reduce the dust build-up and use a cloth to clean dirt along the filter’s frames
- Wash the filter with running water, such as tap water or a hose pipe. You can use vinegar and a warm water cleaning solution if the dirt is not cleaned properly.
- Rinse it thoroughly and allow it to dry completely. When it’s dry, check for any signs of damage or holes before re-inserting the filter.
Replacing the filters depends on the type of filter you have. Replace filters once they’re dirty or clogged; you cannot clean them. Permanent or washable filters aren’t replaced—they’re cleaned and re-inserted into the system. It’s therefore vital to understand the type of filters your HVAC has to know whether they need to be cleaned or if you need to replace them in the future.
3. Check And Clean Your Vents Regularly
Another problem that impacts the efficiency of your HVAC system is dirty or clogged vents. Like filters, vents quickly accumulate a lot of dirt, dust, and other debris. So, it makes sense to check and clean them regularly.
While most individuals call in the experts to clean their system vents, you don’t have to do that because we’ve outlined simple steps to help you clean your HVAC vents at home.
Here’s how to clean them:
- Remove the vents and put them aside. Some vents are easily pulled off, but some may require a screwdriver to remove them.
- Vacuum the ducts to remove as much dirt and debris as possible
- Use a microfiber cloth or a rug to remove the extra dirt from your vent.
- Soak your vent in a bathtub containing soapy water for about 15 minutes—this helps remove any grease or grime in the vent.
- Dry off your vents entirely with a dry towel and put them back on
4. Clear The Outdoor Areas Around Your HVAC System
It’s essential to clear your outdoor areas of things like leaves, branches, and other obstacles near your HVAC system. It’s recommended to leave about two feet around the system. It allows enough air circulation into your system and reduces debris risks as it may cause costly damage.
Conclusion
There you have it! We hope following the above tips will help you adequately prepare your HVAC system for summer. These tips will ensure your system doesn’t strain but works efficiently throughout the hot season, thus saving you money in the process. Remember, a properly functioning HVAC provides a comfortable summer for you and your family.
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