Prepare your cooling system for summer by replacing air filters, testing your thermostat, and calling an expert for a tune-up. Your home’s cooling and heating system undergoes a lot during different seasons. Getting your AC ready for summer helps lower your carbon footprint, saves you money, ensures you stay cool no matter how high the temperatures are, and reduces energy usage.
Don’t wait until summer to have your cooling system checked, as you’re likely to find longer lines and may end up not having a working AC throughout the season.
How Can You Prepare Your Home Cooling System for Summer?
Maintaining your HVAC system before summer extends its lifespan and prevents issues like compressor failure, a frozen coil, and water damage caused by a clogged drain. Some of the tips to assist you in preparing your cooling system for the high temperatures in summer include the following:
Check the Ductless Mini Split
Ductless mini split systems are not only compact but cool your home without wasting energy. Before summer, it’s recommended to do ductless mini-split maintenance to ensure reliable performance. Minor repairs, inspection, and routine cleaning offer these benefits:
- Longer lifespan of the system
- Improved air quality
- Fewer major repairs
- Efficient operation
Schedule HVAC maintenance with a professional to address major issues and inspect both the cooling and heating system. Ductless mini-split systems should be maintained annually, preferably during spring to keep your AC ready for the high-demand season.
Clean Air Filters
The air filter in your AC system is responsible for trapping particles like dirt and dust that interfere with your home’s air quality. When clogged, an air filter reduces airflow in your cooling appliance, which may raise your energy bills and reduce efficiency.
You should clean your air filter once every three months. However, if your area is very dusty, you suffer from allergies, or live with pests, it’s advisable to replace or clean the filter more regularly.
Remove Debris From the Outdoor Condenser Unit
Your AC’s outdoor unit accumulates significant amounts of leaves, dirt, and other foreign substances, especially during the off-season when it’s barely used. This debris blocks airflow to the condenser unit, causing it to wear faster, work harder, and limit its efficiency.
Take a brush and switch off the power supply before getting rid of visible leaves and debris in the system. If you’re worried about damaging the components of the outdoor condenser unit like the fan blades, you can call in a technician to clean it for you.
Upgrade Your Cooling Unit
If you have an inefficient and old AC unit, it’s best to upgrade to a new model that’s energy-efficient before summer. This way, you’re assured of effective cooling and affordable energy bills. HVAC units older than ten years often need replacement to ensure a comfortable and cost-effective home.
Check the Thermostat
Always check the thermostat before the summer season to avoid unpleasant surprises on a hot day. To ensure your thermostat is functioning as it should, follow this checklist:
- Power up the thermostat and check if the batteries need changing
- Set the temperature you prefer during the hot season
- Turn the AC on and leave it running
- Check whether the programmed temperature is accurate by using a thermometer
Additionally, you can consider buying a new thermostat if the current one is performing poorly. Some high-tech thermostats have the ability to adjust their temperature settings automatically depending on your home’s needs.
How Can You Naturally Keep Your Home Cool?
Extreme heat in your living space puts too much pressure on the cooling systems and can increase utility expenses. Getting your home ready for hot weather protects your indoor paint from fast deterioration in addition to maintaining comfortable temperatures indoors.
Some of the ways you can cool your home naturally during summer are:
- Allowing ventilation by keeping your windows open
- Installing blinds to block out harmful UV rays and keep away unwanted heat
- Going for light colors for indoor paint, like white, beige, and pastel yellow
- Using cotton and linen upholstery, airy, breathable, and light fabrics to promote airflow and ventilation
- Bringing in plants like ferns, aloe vera, and palm trees that absorb toxins in the air and keep your home cool
- Using UV-reflective paint on your roof to keep the temperature low throughout your house
Enjoy a Cool Home During Summer by Maintaining Your Cooling System
Preparing your home for summer requires cleaning air filters, checking the thermostat, and removing debris from the outdoor unit for a cooler and more comfortable home. Book a maintenance session with an HVAC technician early to avoid long lines and ensure technician availability. Early spring is the best time for scheduling an AC system inspection to ensure a reliable and working unit throughout summer.
Check out our page for more useful ideas and upgrades that work in real homes.
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