HVAC repair service in Dundalk, MD, is often needed as summer really heats up, just when air conditioners are most needed. If you want to avoid a miserable, expensive summer HVAC breakdown, preparation helps. Failing to get your system checked and then having repairs done, as needed, is like a person who shows up to participate in a marathon race with no prior training. It’s unlikely they will make it across the finish line, just as your HVAC system may not be fit enough to keep you cool throughout the hottest days of the year. If you do the following summer prep, you are far more likely to get through the season without the need for repairs or a new HVAC installation at the worst possible time.
1-Prioritize Filter-Changing Practices
When you’re strategizing for summer, add your HVAC system to your seasonal plans and circle it on your calendar as though the task were an expensive cruise with a no-money-back policy for cancellations. Set the stage for success by planning ahead and buying enough filters to change them for the duration of summer at least monthly. Depending on the type you buy, however, filters may need to be changed every 2 or 3 weeks. If you have a permanent filter, write “time to clean the HVAC filter” on your calendar once for each month. Why is it so necessary to prioritize changing your HVAC filter? It’s the best way to keep your air conditioning humming all season, but there’s more to it than that.
Why Filters Often Create the Need for HVAC Repair Service
An HVAC company that didn’t really care about you, the customer, wouldn’t make such a big deal of stressing the need to change filters. But at Reliability Home Services, we want your HVAC system to operate reliably, especially during times of the year when temperatures can be extreme.
The truth of the matter is that failing to change HVAC filters is the number one reason major HVAC installation services are needed. Without a filter that’s clean enough to perform its job, all HVAC components are forced to work harder. Eventually, the dirt in a filter becomes so thick that air is completely cut off and the HVAC motor burns up. The entire system comes to a grinding halt.
2-Schedule a Tune-Up
Call the licensed professionals at Reliability Home Services to get your HVAC system summer-ready. After the tune-up, get any HVAC repair services recommended by your HVAC technician. Performing an HVAC tune-up involves inspecting and/or testing the following and more:
- Tighten electrical connection
- Test the thermostat
- Clean coils
- Lubricate all moving parts
- Change the air filter
- Check blower belts and motor and adjust, as needed
- Check the fins and straighten them
- Measure the levels of refrigerant and charge
- Clean the condensate drain
- Check controls
3-Check the Outside Unit
The outside air conditioning unit, also known as the A/C condenser, cannot operate optimally unless there is plenty of space all around it, with no obstructions. If plants have grown too near the unit, cut them back or replant them further away. Nothing should be in the immediate area surrounding the A/C unit.
If your unit is exposed to direct sunlight for more than two hours daily, now is a good time to add something that will help to block the sun–though any trellis, wall, or hedge must not be situated too close to the unit. Nothing should cover the top, either, because doing so actually reduces efficiency and causes the space around the A/C to heat up. Total clearance above the A/C condenser should be at least 5 feet and, ideally, leave a 2-foot clearance on each side.
4-Make the Switch to a Programmable Thermostat
You’ve probably heard that it was the smart thing to do, but have you switched to a programmable thermostat yet? If not, it may be because you haven’t been sold on the benefits. The following is a brief overview of a few of the advantages of having a programmable thermostat:
- Automated temperature adjustments are made
- Your energy bill will be lower if you use the settings as recommended
- If you get a smart thermostat, you can control your temperature remotely and override the system settings if needed
- You can zone your home, which prevents unnecessarily overworking the HVAC system
5-Add Window Treatments
Are there rooms in your home that get very hot in summer? Your HVAC system has to work much harder to cool sun-filled rooms that absorb excessive heat. Have some window treatments installed before summer so that you can put a stop to an unnecessary waste of energy. Different types of blinds and curtains are made to keep outside temperatures from altering the comfort level in the home.
6-Before Mowing the Grass, Turn Off the AC
When the outdoor AC unit is operating, it draws air inside of it to help keep the system cool. This means that grass could also be pulled into the system when you are mowing your yard. You can help protect the unit from becoming clogged with debris if you always turn off the air conditioning before mowing the lawn.
7-Schedule Ductwork Cleaning
Winter is when we tend to be confined indoors more than any other season. You can help to ensure the cleanest indoor air possible by having dust, allergens, mold, and other debris removed from the ducts. Indoor air quality is often ruined by dirty ductwork in homes as well as businesses. Getting the ducts cleaned is a way to promote better health.
Contact the Trusted Pros at Reliability Home Services
Your HVAC system can be expected to deliver peak performance when you take care of each of the above items. Remember that HVAC repair service is less expensive when it doesn’t need to be handled as an emergency. If you need A/C system installation, it’s best to act early! Our service schedule at Reliability Home Services can start to get hectic as winter winds down. Call us today for high-quality HVAC summer prep!
