When the warm spring weather finally takes over the frigid cold winter, many homeowners start to work on their to-do lists. Whether it’s cleaning out your gutters or giving your home a new paint job, you also want to take care of your air conditioner’s maintenance. Let’s dive into the things you need to do to get your system ready to take on the hot summer weather ahead.
Get Maintenance Scheduled
Schedule your HVAC’s professional maintenance service early, so you can ensure that your system is ready to take on the hot weather temperatures. Getting HVAC maintenance early also allows you more time to repair any potential issues your system may have before the hot temperatures arrive. Remember that many HVAC manufacturers require that you get professional maintenance service on your system at least once a year to maintain your warranty coverage. This service is also essential for helping to extend the overall longevity of your system and works to reduce the risk of experiencing an unexpected breakdown during the summer season.
Air Vent Checks
All the air vents in your home should be open to allow optimal airflow during the summer months. Take a few moments to walk around each room to ensure that both the supply and return vents are completely open. Make sure that there are no obstructions, like furniture, covering the vents that could otherwise restrict the flow of air into the room. Additionally, if your vents are removable you may want to pop them out and give them a good washing before you reinstall them for the season.
Replace Air Filter
Replacing the air filter once a month or every three months is important for your air conditioning system to work optimally. The air filter captures small particles that float in the air to keep them from entering your HVAC system. The air filter also keeps the particles from being distributed throughout your home. If you suffer from allergy and asthma symptoms during the summer months, you may want to invest in an air filter that has a MERV rating of between 10 and 13. This will help remove the greatest number of airborne contaminants from your home while still allowing your air conditioning system to work at its peak efficiency level.
Switch Ceiling Fan Directions
If you have ceiling fans in your home to help control the temperature throughout the day, you want to ensure that you switch the direction they spin during the summer season. While your ceiling fans will spin in a clockwise direction during the winter, they need to spin in the opposite direction during the summertime. Once you set each fan make sure that you test it to ensure that air is blown down onto you.
Prep Condenser Unit
It can be highly advantageous to properly prep your outdoor condenser unit to give your air conditioning system the best chance of working as efficiently as possible. This helps prevent wasting any of your hard-earned money on excessive energy bills. Remove the cover that you had over the unit during the winter season. Then, make sure to clear any debris, like leaves or twigs, that may be pushed up against the unit and restricting its airflow.
The outside HVAC system has metal fins that are responsible for releasing heat into the air outdoors. It’s important to check over all these fins and make sure that they’re completely straight. If you notice that any of the fins are bent, turn off the power and use a flathead screwdriver to return them to their original position.
Set Your Thermostat
A crucial step for your air conditioning system is to set your thermostat. If you don’t already have a programmable or smart thermostat, it’s time to upgrade, as they can offer you a lot of energy savings throughout the season. You want to program in the specific temperature settings you want during times of the day and days of the week. To help reduce your energy usage, be sure to set the temperature higher at times when you know you won’t be home.
Helpful HVAC Maintenance Service
Dog House offers helpful HVAC maintenance services for the Brunswick, ME community. We can also assist with all your heating and cooling replacement, installation, and repair needs. Call our friendly staff today to book your next service consultation.
