5 Tips to Prepare Your HVAC for Summer

Preparing for summer can be exciting. It often includes getting ready for warmer weather, planning for outdoor activities, and maybe even scheduling a vacation. During your planning for the warmer months, though, it’s important to include preparing your home or business for the summer in your plans. For example, it’s crucial to prepare your HVAC for the season.

HVAC, or heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, refers to the entire system that helps with climate control and ventilation systems. While some people use “HVAC” interchangeably with “air conditioning,” this system includes the condensing unit, furnace, refrigerant lines, thermostat, and vents, and there are also several types of HVAC systems. For example, some types of systems include duct-free split systems, heating and AC split systems, systems with humidity control, and zoned systems.

Regardless of what type of system you have, it’s important to keep up with the regular maintenance of your HVAC system to promote its optimal performance and prevent potential breakdowns. This is especially helpful to avoid uncomfortable AC outages in the Illinois heat. Maintenance may also help your system run more efficiently, which may require using less energy to help keep your utility costs down and keep more money in your pockets. We’ve prepared this list of five tips to prepare your HVAC for summer to help you get started with preparing your system for the warmer weather.

Check the Filter

Checking and changing the air filter in your AC system is one of the simplest yet most important ways to prepare your HVAC system for the summer. As you run your system, the filter accumulates particles of dirt, dust, and other substances. This clogs the air filter, forcing particles back into the HVAC system, affecting the air quality and potentially damaging the system. It also makes it more difficult for the system to run efficiently and cool effectively. As a result, it works harder, driving up your utility costs during the hottest months of the year.

Be sure to check your air filter during the spring to help improve the air quality and the efficiency of your system. Filters come in different sizes, and it’s essential to purchase the right size air filter to prevent air from going around the filter and directly into your home or building. Make note of what size your system requires and choose the level of filtering that best meets your needs.

Each system has unique requirements for how frequently to change it. For example, systems may require a new filter each month, every six months, or once a year. However, it’s best to check your filter every 30 days during the summer because the system is working its hardest. If you have a reusable filter instead, be sure to thoroughly clean it every month.

Inspect the Ducts and Vents

Clogged and dirty vents and ducts can affect air quality and HVAC efficiency. Start by checking the vents throughout your building for visible debris like dirt, dust, and pet hair. Clean these buildups, and ensure you open the vents to facilitate proper airflow for maximum comfort.

While a new filter may help with ensuring your air ducts are clean, it’s important to check them before summer arrives. Try to check your ducts for potential damage or leaks that may require professional repair. Consider investing in professional duct cleaning to remove dust mites, insects, and possibly even rodents that may have found a home in the system when it wasn’t in use.

Schedule a Professional Checkup

Schedule a tuneup service for your HVAC system. This allows a qualified professional to inspect your entire system to identify and repair potential concerns before the warmer months and before they become larger issues. Aim to schedule your service early to avoid the rush of other customers trying to squeeze their appointment in before the summer heat begins.

Clean the Outdoor Areas

Take a walk around the outdoor parts of your AC unit. Look for debris like branches, leaves, and overgrown shrubbery. Clear these from the area, and try to create at least a 2-foot perimeter around the unit. This helps reduce the likelihood of debris blowing into the unit, damaging it, and causing issues. Continue to do this regularly throughout the summer to prevent problems.

Improve Your Cooling Power

Explore ways to maximize your cooling power throughout the building. This can help you avoid overusing your AC. Relying on your AC unit to run at all times can cause it to overrun and potentially damage it. It’s also expensive.

One way to help your AC run more efficiently is by using a programmable thermostat. This provides you with more control over the indoor temperatures, and many smart thermostats even allow you to update the temperature from your smartphone. Using a programmable thermostat also allows you to set up certain temperatures for specific times of day. You can schedule higher temperatures to run when you’re home and lower temperatures when you’re away, helping balance the efficiency of your unit and potentially saving you money. Be sure to test your thermostat before the summer, to ensure it works properly.

Another way to help with your cooling power is by purchasing accessories to use throughout your home. For example, investing in high-quality window coverings and keeping them closed during the hottest parts of the day can help naturally reduce the indoor temperatures so your HVAC doesn’t have to work as hard. You may also use standing and ceiling fans to improve airflow inside and promote efficient cooling. Setting the ceiling fans to turn clockwise helps direct the cool air down and throughout the room.

Contact Dahme Mechanical for Help Preparing Your HVAC Unit for Summer

We’ve reached the end of our list of tips to prepare your HVAC for summer, and we hope you found the list helpful. However, we understand that sometimes things don’t go according to plan. If you experience issues with your HVAC this summer, our experts at Dahme Mechanical Industries, Inc. are here to help you. We offer 24-hour emergency HVAC repair service for the Arlington Heights and surrounding Chicagoland community. No matter what time of day or what day of the week you experience an HVAC emergency, we’re prepared to help you, and we’re happy to do it.

Since 1965, Dahme Mechanical Industries has provided the Chicagoland and Arlington Heights areas with reliable plumbing, heating, and air conditioning services. Our trained and licensed technicians have the expertise required for commercial, industrial, and residential services. Whether you’re wanting to install a new system or schedule routine maintenance, contact us today to learn more and schedule service. If you aren’t noticing these signs then its still not too late for you to take action with our HVAC summer tips. Our family-owned, locally operated business is here to help keep you cool this summer.