Seasonal HVAC maintenance you should be doing right now
Transitioning into summer triggers seasonal HVAC maintenance you should be doing right now. It’s the time of year when homeowners rely most heavily on their A/C to keep their homes comfortably cool from the rising heat and humidity. During this time, a home’s HVAC system gets used more aggressively over longer periods of time, so it’s imperative that the system is able to operate at peak efficiency to maintain that desired cool indoor environment. For homeowners looking to run their A/C throughout the cooling season without running into any hiccups, stay on top of these seasonal HVAC maintenance tips, so the cooling system will be prepped to weather the season when the heat is on.
Clean and Replace the Filters
The filters are some of the most important pieces of the furnace, and one of the easiest chores to overlook. Tasked with capturing dust and debris before it enters the furnace, a clean filter ensures that the system is able to run without becoming clogged or overheating. Make sure that the filter is cleaned or replaced on a regular cycle, and it will keep supporting a healthy HVAC system.
Consider Upgrading to a Programmable Thermostat
Having an up-to-date thermostat, specifically a programmable model, helps the entire HVAC system run more efficiently. Newer models are designed to sync with apps on smartphones and tablets, and can actually learn homeowner heating and cooling patterns over time. This allows the thermostat to adjust the temperature automatically to keep a system running without overworking it, as well as keeping each room in the home at the homeowner’s ideal comfortable temperature.
Inspect and Clean the Outdoor A/C Unit
Head outside to thoroughly inspect the outdoor A/C unit. Make sure the fan is free of debris, branches, and trash, and able to get up to speed and running smoothly. This bit of extra cleaning helps the unit run easier as it starts seeing regular use again keeping the whole home cool. It’s a good idea to take a quick look at the indoor vents as well, and see that they’re free of any dust and hair build-up, so that airflow throughout the home runs smoothly.
One cleaning tip to avoid — don’t spray down the unit with a hose. This can lead to debris caught around the outside of the unit getting pushed further into the unit, causing potential damage to the internal coils.
Hunt for Air Leaks
Check around the home’s windows, doors, and screens to ensure all seals are functioning properly and no leaks are detected. Ductwork should also get a thorough look, as air leaks from the ducts mean the air is being blown unevenly throughout the home, and air leakages from all over can lead to higher heating and cooling costs. If any problem spots are uncovered, contact a professional to have them professionally sealed.
Get an Annual Inspection
The piece that can never be overstated, an annual HVAC inspection opens up the unit, ducts, and vents to make sure that all the parts of the system are still functioning as intended. With a licensed technician able to get hands-on with the system, they’re able to call out any potential issues and spots that can be fixed or replaced before they start to cause real harm. Annual inspections keep the whole HVAC system running, and much longer than if it’s left to its own devices.
Prepping a home’s HVAC system for summer means preparing for the rest of the seasonal shifts throughout the year as well, and knocking out the annual inspection clears up time later on that can be used to enjoy the warm weather activities and outdoors. If you’re looking for licensed professionals to tackle your HVAC inspection, or if you have any A/C or HVAC questions that need answers, reach out to Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling. The experts at Duane Blanton have over 30 years of experience and knowledge, ready to give you answers and provide solutions for all your HVAC inquiries. Give the experts at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling a call today, at (815) 781-2567, or schedule conveniently from your couch, when it’s convenient for you, using their online scheduling portal!
Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling is proud to be a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, offering top-quality heating and cooling options to fit the specific needs of Duane Blanton customers. The quality, comfort, and efficiency of Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems’ products naturally align with Duane Blanton’s drive to provide an exceptional customer service experience. Ask a Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling expert today about the advantages of upgrading to a new Bryant Heating & Cooling system for your home!
