Is your HVAC system ready for the summer months? Call Casper Friendly Services now at 732-360-5334 to find out!
Summer in New Jersey brings with it lots of fun and exciting outdoor activities. However, as you plan the next recipe for that Fourth of July barbecue, it’s important to ensure your home is ready for the warmer temperatures.
If your HVAC system isn’t at its maximum efficiency, the summer heat can suck out all the fun pretty quickly. Here are 12 HVAC tips for summer to keep you and your family comfortable.
1. Change the Air Filter in Your HVAC System
The air filters in your HVAC system are there to capture airborne contaminants and keep them from circulating across your home. If the filter is dirty, your indoor air quality will worsen. With the HVAC running more frequently, think of the number of allergens you’ll inhale each day.
You should also keep in mind that clogged filters will make your HVAC work harder to cool your home. Over time, it will lead to more frequent breakdowns. If you haven’t replaced the filter since last summer, now is a good time to do so!
2. Clean the HVAC System
HVAC systems generally work quietly in the background, so it’s easy to forget about them for a long time. However, the unit will accumulate dirt and grime with every passing week. If you don’t clean it, components like the ondenser and evaporator coils will not work at peak capacity, putting undue strain on the unit.
Turn off the circuit breaker and open the unit’s access panel to reach the coils. Be sure to use a cleanser designed for the purpose and avoid applying too much pressure to the coils.
3. Clean the Vent Covers
If you have a central HVAC system, then you understand the importance of having clean ducts and vents. Clean the vent covers to remove accumulated dust and debris. You should also check to confirm that there are no objects blocking the vents.
This is one of the best HVAC tips for summer because any form of blockage around your vents will reduce the volume of conditioned air coming through. You’ll find yourself lowering the thermostat to get cooler air, increasing your cooling costs unnecessarily.
4. Inspect the Ductwork for Problems
If your ductwork has lots of debris or obvious leaks, you’ll lose conditioned air to your attic, wall cavities, basement, or crawl space. You can do a quick inspection by running your hand along the vent (where possible) to feel for leaks in the ductwork.
You can also take a peek into the duct to see if it’s due for cleaning. Don’t attempt to clean the ductwork on your own. It’s always safer to hire professionals for this job. Call us now to hire a skilled HVAC contractor in Jackson, NJ, and the surrounding areas.
5. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Programmable thermostats can make your summer a lot more fun. With one of these, you can forget about fiddling with the thermostat every time you come back home to reach your desired temperature.
The smart variants will learn your habits quickly, making sure your HVAC system is always working in the best possible setting. Most importantly, you’ll always have control over the entire system, whether you’re at work or out of town.
Imagine being able to turn on your air conditioner just as you’re about to head home after a hard day’s job. The good thing about smart thermostats? The system will learn to turn on your air conditioning at around the same time every day. You no longer have to crank up the cooling to the max to reach your desired temperature faster.
6. Clear the Space Around the Outside Unit
Leaves, branches, and garbage around your system’s outdoor AC condenser can keep it from working as efficiently as it should. The space around the outside unit isn’t the right place to store your summer outdoor gear or your barbecue equipment. Apart from the fact that they can reduce the amount of air flowing into the system, causing problems like overheating, there’s also the risk of mechanical damage if flying debris enters the enclosure.
Clear out the area and leave at least two feet of space around the unit.
7. Be Careful With Heat-Emitting Appliances
Using large appliances that produce a lot of heat in the summer is a sure way to give your HVAC system more work to do. Some of these appliances don’t just warm up your space; they can also increase your indoor humidity.
So, instead of cooking large meals in your kitchen, consider using your outdoor grill. You should also consider hanging your clothes to dry outside instead of putting them inside the dryer. And if you must have a hot bath, save it for the morning hours or late at night.
8. Provide the Outdoor Unit With Some Shade
One of the best HVAC tips for summer you’ll ever learn is to ensure there’s some shade over your system’s outdoor unit. The condenser and other key components inside will get too hot if they are working while under direct sunlight. As they heat up, they will have to work harder to cool your space.
As you set up the shade, it’s important to leave enough space to avoid blocking off airflow to the unit. The goal is to provide enough shade, preferably overhead, to ensure there’s no direct sunlight heating the outdoor unit.
9. Install Fans to Maximize Airflow
Installing different types of fans throughout your home can make your home feel a lot more comfortable this summer. Ceiling fans, floor fans, and tabletop fans all move air around to varying degrees. Using them with the air conditioner running will make your home feel a lot cooler.
If you install ceiling fans, be sure to set them to rotate clockwise in the summer. This setting will direct the airflow downward, preventing heat from rising and straining your air conditioner. Pair the ceiling fans with smaller table and floor fans you can move from place to place for the best results.
For example, if you’ve just finished cooking and the living areas closest to your kitchen feel a lot warmer, you can move the portable fans into those spaces for some minutes until the temperature evens out.
10. Keep Out Sunrays With Quality Window Treatments
The views from inside your home to the outdoors may look alluring, but the sun’s rays penetrating through the glass can significantly increase your indoor air temperature. This is especially true if you have many sun-facing windows.
You can deal with this problem by installing commensurate window treatments over sun-exposed windows. Blinds, drapes, and shades are excellent choices here. They come in different designs, shapes, and thickness levels.
Find a window treatment that’s a perfect fit for your wider décor, and you can prevent the heat buildup that happens in the summer months without dampening your home’s aesthetic appeal.
11. Schedule a Maintenance Appointment
You won’t need to do some of the things we covered above if you schedule your HVAC maintenance at least once a year. If you haven’t scheduled maintenance for your HVAC system in a long while, now is a good time!
It’s a good idea to request maintenance before the peak summer season to ensure you won’t face any nasty surprises when the peak of winter hits. Regular maintenance is the best way to spot small problems that will invariably morph into breakdowns and costly repairs.
During the maintenance visit, the HVAC technician will check all the core components to ensure they are in excellent shape. They may also recommend other services, like duct cleaning, coil cleaning, and more.
12. Consider Upgrading Your HVAC System
If your air conditioner is already more than 10 years old, you can almost certainly do better in terms of energy-efficient operation. If, in addition to the old age, the system no longer cools your home as well as it should or breaks down a lot more frequently, it’s definitely time for a new one.
Replacing your air conditioner is a significant investment, though. So, it’s always a good idea to speak to a professional first. The technician will tell you if the air conditioner is indeed on its last legs or if it just needs some maintenance work. You will also receive guidance on the best type of air conditioning system to go for.
Prepare Your HVAC System for the Summer
These 12 crucial HVAC tips for summer above will help you focus more on fun activities and avoid spending your holiday money on sudden air conditioner repairs. Go over them and make a list of the tips that are applicable for your case. Do you need more guidance on how to keep your HVAC system working efficiently all summer? Do you want to schedule pre-summer maintenance? Call the Casper Friendly Services team in Neptune, NJ, today at 732-360-5334. Our AC repair experts are available 24/7!
Author Bio:
Matt Casper
The Business Owner of Casper friendly services features a team of trusted HVAC contractors in Neptune, NJ. Local trustworthy business owner with 9 years experience! Honest, professional, and most of all affordable. Call Casper today to discuss your HVAC needs!