Tips to Ensure Your HVAC is Summer-Ready

You need to think about your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit before the summer season begins. An HVAC is one of the most expensive and important equipment in a Bay Area household. These tips will ensure your HVAC remains summer-ready.

Keep the Filter Clean

Air filter is the first thing you need to check in your HVAC unit. You may use a permanent or a disposable type filter depending on the unit. It’s essential that you replace the air filter at least once a month if you have a disposable filter. Permanent filters can be cleaned once a month to keep things running efficiently. You made need the cleaning or replacement more often if you have pets or family members suffering from allergies.

Give the Outdoor Unit Space

The next step is to make sure the outdoor unit is not getting choked by vegetation and other debris. You should remove any plants, branches, or other items that may be blocking the area. You should also remove any shrubbery growing too close to the outdoor unit. This is a year-round task. Debris and growth around the outdoor unit can cause major issues. A good rule of thumb is to ensure an open space of at least 2 feet around the HVAC unit to avoid any soil or debris from getting inside the machine.

Use a Smart Thermostat

Installing a programmable thermostat will help you reduce your energy bill. You can customize your air conditioning schedule with the newer available technology. You can make temperature adjustments depending on your personal schedule and the weather. You can time the unit to turn off if you are not home. This will help reduce energy consumption. It will also reduce wear and tear on your system.

Use Fans to Maximize Air Flow

You can increase your comfort by placing different kinds of fans around the house depending on the space. You can choose from floor fans, tabletop fans, and floor fans. Ceiling fans are some of the best fans to have in your house. Make sure they rotate clockwise to press air downward. This will prevent excessive heat from rising to higher levels of the home. You can reverse the ceiling fan when the weather begins to cool.

Window Treatments

If you have a lot of windows throughout your home, you may have noticed that the indoor temperature can rise significantly due to the sun penetrating through the glass. Your air conditioner then has to kick into overdrive in order to combat the quick heat up in the afternoon.

One way to battle this phenomenon is to invest in high quality window treatments, such as blinds or drapes. Putting window coverings over larger, sun-exposed areas can help prevent the afternoon buildup of heat that normally takes place in the summer months.

Clear Out Your Vents

Your HVAC unit can only work at its best if there are no obstructions to the flow of air inside of the walls of your home. Beyond having a professional go through the entire duct system, there is one easy way to check to make sure there are no visible blockages. You can walk through the house and examine each vent. Clear out any visible debris or dust and ensure the vents in all occupied rooms are open.