The weather in Huntingdon Valley, PA tends to experience some pretty high temperatures in the summer. Having a properly functioning cooling system is key to staying comfortable and keeping your cooling costs affordable. There are several things you can do in the spring to ensure the AC performs optimally throughout the whole summer.
Replace the Air Filter
First and foremost, you should inspect the air filter on the AC. As time passes, filters clog with dirt, dust and other elements. This not only makes the AC work harder because of reduced airflow but also compromises indoor air quality. And because the AC will perform with less efficient performance, your energy bills will go up. It can also result in premature repairs and replacements. If you notice the filter is dirty during your inspection, go ahead and clean or replace it. You should continue to do filter inspections once every two months throughout the whole year. If you have a ductless system, you’ll need to do filter inspections more often.
Clean and Inspect Air Vents
When air vents are dirty or closed, they restrict airflow, making the AC use more energy. To avoid this, you should clean the air vents regularly. Not only will the AC perform better, but this also helps reduce the spread of dust and dirt throughout the rest of the home. In addition to cleaning, make sure that all vents are open and unblocked. It’s common for furniture and curtains to accidentally block vents and reduce airflow. By keeping them unblocked, you’ll help the system distribute air evenly in all parts of the house.
Remove Debris From Outdoor Unit
Keeping an eye on the outdoor unit of the AC is another key part of spring HVAC maintenance. The outdoor unit usually consists of a housing unit that covers the compressor, condenser coil and fan. All of these parts need adequate airflow to function properly and efficiently. Over the winter, leaves, branches and dirt can accumulate around, on and in the outdoor unit. To prepare the AC for spring, use a broom to sweep off any built-up debris. If you find any leaves or twigs stuck inside the outdoor unit, remove the pieces that are easily accessible. For those that are hard to reach, it’s best to let a professional remove them. Always keep a two-foot clearance around the outdoor unit. This might require trimming nearby bushes or plants.
Upgrade the Thermostat
When was the last time you updated your thermostat? If it’s been more than a few years, you might want to consider today’s newer models. A lot of modern programmable and smart thermostats offer a range of features that can provide optimal energy savings. For example, with remote access, you can adjust your home’s temperature from any location. This is great for saving money because you can ensure the AC isn’t running unnecessarily when you’re not home. A lot of today’s thermostats also come with learning capabilities built right into them. They use algorithms and sensors to learn your cooling preferences and make automatic adjustments.
Strategically Use Ceiling Fans
During spring and summer months, ceiling fans provide excellent support to your HVAC system. They do this by moving air throughout your home to provide cooling while reducing your air conditioner’s workload. You’ll need to check the fans to ensure they’re rotating in the right direction (counterclockwise). If they’re rotating clockwise, this hurts the AC’s performance by causing warm air to circulate instead of pushing cool air down.
Consider Zoned HVAC Systems
If there are certain parts of your home that you don’t want to cool, it’s worth considering a zoned HVAC system. Zoned HVAC systems divide the home into separate zones, with each having its own thermostat and temperature control. This makes it easy to cool different rooms independently without wasting energy on unused parts of the house. Homes with multiple floors or rooms with varying sunlight exposure are great candidates for zoned cooling.
Schedule Spring Tune-Up Services
There are numerous ways to increase your home’s cooling effectiveness, but certain jobs are better left to the pros. Scheduling a spring air conditioning tune-up service is the best way to guarantee your AC receives the care and maintenance it needs. We will inspect each part to see which components to clean or adjust. We often need to realign the fan blades to boost airflow. We will also lubricate all moving parts, like the blower motor and fan, to minimize friction. This helps the equipment last longer and perform better. Other important parts of spring tune-ups include refrigerant checks and checking the drain lines for clogs.
AAA Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning is ready to fine-tune your AC for better reliability. We also specialize in heating maintenance and indoor air quality. For the ultimate peace of mind, you may want to buy one of our preventative maintenance plans. Contact AAA Brothers Heating & Air Conditioning today to book all the AC services you need for your home.
