The average July high in both Nashua and Canterbury is in the 80s, which means reliable air conditioning is essential. Preparing your HVAC system in advance ensures that it’s ready to keep you cool and comfortable throughout the warmest months.
Plan for Self-Inspections
Conducting regular inspections is important once your air conditioner is running. Make a checklist so that you don’t miss anything. Some tasks to add to the list include looking for corrosion, checking that vents aren’t blocked, and listening for unusual noises. Take notes along the way, writing down anything that seems abnormal. If you notice any potential issues, don’t attempt to fix them yourself. Contact us right away, and we’ll assess the situation.
Schedule a Professional Maintenance Appointment
Book a professional tune-up before you turn your system on for the season so that we can check that it’s functioning properly. During the appointment, we perform several tasks, including cleaning components, checking refrigerant levels, and lubricating moving parts. We’ll inform you if you need any air conditioning repairs or a replacement.
Call in late winter or early spring to book the appointment. This provides you with more scheduling opportunities. Additionally, it allows us to complete the tasks before hot temperatures arrive in the area. You’ll also have time to schedule any follow-up repairs or a replacement if they’re necessary.
Clear the Outdoor Condenser
The outdoor condenser needs space for proper airflow. There must be at least 2 feet of horizontal clearance on all sides and at least 5 feet of vertical clearance. Nothing should be on top of the unit.
Start by moving anything away from the condenser, including grills, outdoor furniture, toys, and coolers. Next, remove any greenery, such as grass or ivy, that could grow into the unit and cause damage. If you have mature trees on your property with branches hanging over the condenser, you may want to call an arborist. They can assess the trees and branches to make sure they’re not at risk of falling. If some are deemed problematic, it’s important to have the arborist trim them as soon as possible to prevent damage to the unit.
Clean or Replace the Air Filter
Cleaning or replacing the air filter is one of the best ways to care for your air conditioner. Air filters trap pollen, human hair, pet dander, and other pollutants, keeping them from circulating throughout your indoor air. They also prevent the contaminants from building up on the unit’s components, which could decrease efficiency and strain the system. The dirtier an HVAC system is, the more energy it uses, which may increase your utility bills.
For safety, turn the unit off before starting the task. If you have a reusable filter, take it out carefully and wash the debris off gently in the sink. Let it dry completely before you put it back in. You should do this at least every few weeks or more frequently if debris accumulates quickly.
For disposable filters, take the dirty one out of the unit and replace it with a clean one. You should ideally do this every few months. However, you may want to do it more often if kids, seniors, allergy sufferers, or health-compromised individuals live in the home. If you’re still using standard HVAC filters, consider upgrading them to HEPA filters. They trap up to 99.97% of pollutants, which could improve your indoor air quality significantly.
Consider Duct Cleaning
Over time, contaminants, such as pet fur, human skin cells, dead insects, mold spores, and pollen, can build up in the ducts. As the conditioned air blows through, it may carry some of these pollutants throughout your home, where you could breathe them in. They can also land on your furnishings, leading to a dustier environment. Additionally, they could end up in your HVAC unit, building up on its components.
Duct cleaning reduces the amount of contaminants within the ducts, which may help improve indoor air quality, reduce odors, and create a cleaner space. It might also increase your HVAC system’s efficiency, extend its lifespan, and prevent the need for repairs.
Prepare Your Windows and Doors
Your windows and doors have a significant impact on how comfortable your indoor environment feels. They can also influence how hard your HVAC system works.
If there are any gaps in window or door frames, they’re allowing cool air to exit and warm summer air to enter. This leads to significant problems, including hot and cold spots in those areas. Additionally, it’s also causing your HVAC system to work harder than necessary. When this happens, it uses an unnecessary amount of energy trying to meet your preferred temperature.
To prevent these issues, use weather stripping and a gap filler to close any gaps. You should also consider applying an insulating window film to any glass in windows and doors. It reflects UV rays, which can help your interior feel cooler and more comfortable. This allows you to raise your thermostat, potentially leading to lower utility costs.
Set Your Ceiling Fan
Spring is the time when you should set your ceiling fans to operate in a counterclockwise direction. This directs air right to you, which can make you feel cooler. Setting it for spring is the perfect opportunity to clean the blades. Use a ceiling fan duster/cleaner, which lets you clean the blades without having to climb a ladder. There’s less dust that could potentially come loose and become airborne. When you’re done, vacuum any loose debris that falls to the floor to prevent it from ending up in your HVAC system.
Clean and Clear the Vent Covers
Your supply and return vents can get dusty over time. While this usually doesn’t impact airflow significantly, the air could dislodge built-up debris so it becomes airborne. Use a microfiber cloth to dust the vent covers. Make sure to check that no return or supply vents are blocked by furniture, rugs, or other items, as this could result in inconsistent temperatures.
DIY vs. Professional HVAC Maintenance
While there are many tasks homeowners can do during the spring to prepare their HVAC system, self-inspections and maintenance aren’t replacements for professional tune-ups. Our technicians have extensive experience in safely and efficiently caring for these complex systems. They’re also trained in noticing minor issues that could easily develop into costly, severe problems. Early detection is key to extending your system’s lifespan.
Make sure your air conditioner is ready to handle the summer heat. Joyce Cooling & Heating Inc. in Nashua and Canterbury, NH, offers high-quality cooling services to local homeowners. We also provide full HVAC services to homeowners, including installation, repairs, and indoor air quality solutions. Call now to schedule an appointment with our team.
