As the weather continues to get warmer, your HVAC system continues to work hard – but now with the focus on air conditioning and cooling down rooms. Since it may have been a season or two since you used your air conditioner, it’s important to check out your system, do some basic maintenance, and make sure that everything is working correctly! Here’s a great checklist to help you get started (and this can work great with heat pumps, too).
Replace Your Filter
The typical home HVAC system has a replaceable filter near the fan system that’s designed to be switched out with a filter of the same size every several months. The beginning of summer – and winter – are excellent times to make this switch. Remember, your AC unit is going to have to deal with a lot of summer dust and allergens, so it needs a new filter to do its job properly.
When replacing your filter, make sure that it is facing the right way, depending on the airflow in your ductwork. Many HVAC systems have arrows indicating airflow (as do the filters themselves), but it’s important to pay attention!
Clean All Outdoor Units
Your AC unit or heat pump probably has an outdoor component to pass heat to the outdoor air. Over fall and winter, it’s possible that this unit got dirty or covered with debris like leaves and needles. It’s important to do some recon and clean all the debris up, as well as wipe down the fins of your evaporator component. You don’t want any debris blocking the fan, and if the drainage line becomes blocked, you could also have some water issues. Cleaning the fins will ensure that heat transfer is efficient, too. For best performance, clear any objects from around your outdoor unit so that it has easy access to the air.
Take a Look at Your House Fans
Fans in your house can also help out your HVAC system a lot. This is the perfect opportunity to take a look at your bathroom fans and make sure they are clean and functioning properly (just turn off the power first). If you use ceiling fans, then make sure that they are turning counter-clockwise to push air downward.
If you open any windows in your home, make sure that you only open them in the early morning and evening when the air outside is actually cool – otherwise, you’re doing more harm than good. In the heat of the day, try to keep your windows cover,ed so the sun doesn’t pass any extra thermal energy into your house.
Take a Look at Your Thermostat
Make sure that your thermostat is set for summer, too, with scheduling that uses the air conditioner when people are home and it’s too hot for comfort. The thermostat should discourage AC use in the evening and when people aren’t home. If your old thermostat is feeling limited, this is a good time to upgrade to a smart thermostat!
Do you need an expert opinion or a professional look at factors like refrigerant levels? Call Guaranteed Heating & Cooling today for a full tune-up. We’ll make sure that you’re ready for summer.