How To Prepare For Your HVAC System For Summer
Making sure your HVAC system is ready for summer can mean the difference between your home being comfortable or unbearably warm. It will also ensure that the system still works and functions efficiently whenever it gets warm enough that you need to turn your air conditioning on. The good news is that the process is fairly easy and generally only requires following these few simple steps.
Clean Around the Outdoor HVAC Unit
Central air conditioning systems can use either a traditional AC condenser or a heat pump, both of which are the part of the system that sits outside the building. These outdoor units have three main components: the compressor, the compressor fan and the condenser coil. All three of these components work together to allow the system to release the heat that it removed from inside. The compressor compresses the already heated refrigerant to instantly make it much hotter than the outdoor air temperature. As the compressor fan draws air into the unit and blows it over the condenser coil, it causes the refrigerant to release the heat it contains into the air.
This process only works effectively if the compressor fan can continually draw air through the unit. Any debris that is piled up around or stuck to the AC condenser or heat pump will restrict how much air the compressor fan can draw in. This issue will lead to the system cooling much less effectively since it prevents the refrigerant from releasing all of the heat it contains. A lack of airflow can also lead to more serious issues like overheating.
These potential issues are why you should always make sure to fully clean any debris from around the outdoor unit before turning your air conditioning on. It’s also important to cut back any grass, shrubs and other vegetation so that the unit has a minimum of 2 feet of clearance.
Check the Air Filter
The purpose of your HVAC system’s air filter is to trap dust and debris so that it doesn’t get drawn into the indoor part of the system. This is important for preventing the internal components from getting too dirty or them from clogging or gumming up. As your HVAC system runs, the filter captures more and more debris to the point where it eventually begins to clog up. Continuing to run the system with a clogged filter will make it far less effective since the blower can’t draw in as much air when the filter is overly dirty. This then leads to the system’s energy usage increasing and will often also cause the evaporator coil to freeze.
Your heating and air conditioning rely on the same filter. So, it’s important to make sure that the filter isn’t too dirty before running your AC for the first time each year. Unless you’ve replaced the filter within the past month or two or it still looks mostly white, it’s a good idea to replace it to ensure that your AC works effectively whenever you finally need to turn it on.
Schedule a Professional Tune-Up
All HVAC systems need regular preventative maintenance to continue functioning effectively. Unfortunately, the only maintenance task you can effectively do yourself is replacing the air filter. This is why it’s important to contact a certified HVAC company to get your system professionally maintained before the weather starts heating up and you need to turn your AC on.
An AC tune-up service is an easy way to make sure that your system works well and is ready to handle the summer heat and humidity with no issues. The process involves a technician performing a comprehensive check to make sure that every part of the system is in working order and that nothing needs to be replaced or repaired. Cleaning the indoor and outdoor parts of the system like the blower, evaporator coil, condenser coil and the interior of the condenser unit is also important. This is for improving the system’s performance and preventing issues.
Once everything has been cleaned and inspected, the technician will then test the system to make sure it cools effectively and continually circulates sufficient air to each part of your home. This helps to prevent the system from using more energy than necessary. It should make sure that it can continue keeping your home sufficiently cool and comfortable even during periods of extreme heat. Annual maintenance is also the easiest way to protect the lifespan of your HVAC system so that you don’t suddenly need to replace it sooner than you’d originally planned.
Trust the Professionals
With over 60 years of experience serving customers in Niles and the Mahoning Valley, A To Z Dependable Services is the company to turn to for all of your HVAC needs. Our certified technicians service all brands and types of HVAC systems, and we can also help if your system needs repairs or you need to have it replaced. If you need help getting your HVAC system ready for summer or you need any other cooling, heating or plumbing service, contact us today.
