Easy Summer Maintenance HVAC Tips
As the weather continues to warm up now is the perfect time to perform summer maintenance on your HVAC system to ensure that it’s able to efficiently cool down your home in the coming months, and reduce the risk of it breaking down during a heat wave. With these five seasonal maintenance tips you’ll be sure to stay comfortable while working or relaxing at home, and escaping the heat.
1. Check Your Air Filters
Think about checking and changing your air filters before the month of July. That way you’ll ensure that they’re clear from all of the use of your HVAC system from the winter months. Inspect your filters monthly to make sure they’re not full of contaminants, which is especially important during periods of heavy cooling system use in the summer months. During these times, it’s recommended that you change your air filter between 1-2 months, depending on the filter. Purchase a few extra filters just in case!
2. Check Vents and Registers
In the lead up to summer, it’s important to check all of the vents in your home to make sure they haven’t been shut and that nothing is blocking them. Check to see that the vent louvers are open, and move all furniture, carpets, rugs and other items away from vents. Blocked vents result in restricted airflow through your HVAC system, which could overheat the entire system or at the very least cause performance issues.
Important rule: Never close more than 20 percent of the home’s HVAC vents. If you have many rooms in your home that are unoccupied and you want to restrict the air to these less used areas, consider investing in a zoning system. A zoning system will allow you to reduce energy waste and ensure proper HVAC system performance in the long run.
3. Inspect Outdoor Equipment
Your exterior cooling equipment also needs some love at the beginning of every summer. Remove all of the debris that has gathered on the unit and trim away any vegetation that has grown around it. Refrain from storing items or other furniture directly around it. For further protection, create a safe surrounding structure for your outdoor cooling unit and improve the look of your yard.
4. Inspect Condensation System
If your cooling system’s drip pan and condensation drain lines become clogged with mold or algae growth, condensation from the cooling process is restricted from exiting your home. It’s important to check the drip pan and drain lines for clogs. When condensation doesn’t exit your home properly, your cooling system could malfunction or cause water damage by backing up the water indoors.
Make sure you turn the system off during inspection, and if you see that water has backed up, use rags or a wet/dry vacuum to remove the water from the drip pan. You can also use the wet/dry vacuum to clear clogs in your drain lines.
5. Plan for The Future
By performing summer maintenance on your HVAC system, you’re ensuring efficient and cool air throughout the summer months. You’re also ensuring functionality for the long term, which will save you money down the road! For more maintenance tips, contact the experts at Maintemp Heating & Air Conditioning.