Tips for Preparing Your AC for Summer

With summer on the horizon, all those times we complained about it being too cold in the winter may be about to bite us. And not only us, but also our HVAC systems, which could probably use a break after keeping us warm all winter long. However, instead of a break, they may be in for more work as they try to keep us cool throughout the summer. That’s why spring may be the perfect time to give our HVAC systems a little TLC before we ask them to do the heavy lifting necessary to keep our homes comfortable during the sweltering summer months.

How to Prepare Your Home’s AC for Summer

There are a wide range of ways that homeowners can get their homes ready for the summer heat. A few of the most common things that homeowners can do to prepare their home’s air conditioning systems for summer include the following:

• Filters – Clean air filters are crucial for your AC system to work efficiently. The more efficient your AC system works, the less likely it is to breakdown or waste energy. So, make sure to replace dirty air filters throughout the year.
• Weatherization – This involves sealing any air leaks or potential air leaks and making sure your home is well insulated. Air leaks can develop around your doors and windows, as well as within your walls, insulation, and ducts. Keeping your home weatherized can help keep cool air inside and warm air outside, which will help your AC from being overworked and will also help lower your utility bills.
• Inspection – One of the best ways to keep your HVAC system running properly all year is to have an HVAC technician inspect, tune, and clean it once or twice a year. HVAC inspections can uncover minor problems your HVAC is experiencing, so that you can take care of them before they become major (and more expensive) problems.
• Thermostat – A programmable thermostat can help you keep your home cool at the times you need it to be cool without overworking your AC system. For example, you can program your thermostat to turn off your system, or at least keep the temperature higher in your house, at times when no one will be home. This prevents your system from constantly running at times when it is unnecessary.
• Condenser – Throughout the year, your HVAC system’s outdoor condenser can get covered in debris, including dust, dirt, and leaves. In addition, vegetation, such as tall grass, shrubbery, and weeds, can grow up around it. Keeping your outdoor condenser clean and the area around it clear of vegetation can help it avoid wear and tear related issues and keep it running properly all year long.
• Ducts – If your home has hot spots, it may be because your HVAC’s ductwork has leaks. Your ducts deliver cool air from your AC system to the various sections of your home. If there is a leak in your home’s ductwork, it can prevent your AC from keeping certain areas of your home cool, creating hot spots. During an HVAC inspection, technicians will often check your ductwork for leaks and repair them if you authorize it.
• Fans and Thermostats – Having ceiling fans in the rooms of your home where you and your family spend the most time is a great idea. Ceiling fans can help keep you cool, so that you don’t have to use your AC as much. In addition, some homeowners have thermostats in each room of their home, which allows them to keep the areas where they spend the most time cooler and avoid having to keep the whole house cool when it is unnecessary.

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