With summer comes extreme temperatures, and you want to make sure your HVAC system is ready to take on the heat. With any seasonal change, it’s important to ensure your HVAC is equipped to take on climate changes, especially the scorching ones of summer.
At ACS, we offer premium HVAC repair, replacement, and regular maintenance to the Georgians who need it most. When you trust our NATE-certified technicians, you’ll receive top-quality service and valuable industry insight to ensure indoor comfort year-round. With summer in full swing, our HVAC specialists are here to share our summer HVAC maintenance checklist.
In this article, we’ll cover several helpful summer practices for HVAC maintenance, including:
- Clean or replace air filters
- Refill AC refrigerant
- Inspect ductwork
- Check thermostat settings
- Tidy up outdoor unit
- Schedule HVAC maintenance
Clean or Replace Air Filters
Cleaning or replacing air filters is an essential step for heading into summer. Air filters collect dust, dirt, and other debris as your HVAC system runs, generating particulate buildup over time. If this buildup is left untouched, indoor air will force these dirty particles back into your HVAC system and worsen the air quality. Not to mention, your energy bills will also increase as your unit loses efficiency. The best rule of thumb is to change your filter every 1-3 months. So, if the last time you swapped a filter out was at the beginning of spring, summer marks the perfect time to make another replacement.
Refill AC Refrigerant
Blasting your AC all summer will gradually lower your unit’s refrigerant levels. However, you never want levels to get so low that they affect your system’s performance. Our HVAC specialists advise periodically topping off your systems’ refrigerant throughout the season. And on top of that, you should check for any potential leakage. If you notice any leaks, you’ll want to call a professional immediately before liquid buildup generates mold growth.
Inspect Ductwork
Ductwork should be a top priority on your summer HVAC maintenance checklist. Your air ducts deliver cool air to each room and sustain your home’s overall heating and cooling. However, if damaged or dirty, air ducts cannot support your home’s airflow. As a result, you will experience lower air quality and worsened HVAC efficiency. We advise scheduling a visit with a licensed HVAC technician to inspect your air ducts as seasons change thoroughly. They will have state-of-the-art equipment to clean your system and detect leaks or damage.
Check Thermostat Settings
If your area experiences mild spring weather, you’ll want to re-adjust your settings as summer comes around. Though it might depend on your climate, your thermostat’s summer settings should generally follow the U.S. Department of Energy’s recommendations. The DOE suggests setting your thermostat as high as possible during the summer to minimize energy expenses. For many households, this temperature sweet spot is 78 degrees Fahrenheit. And if you leave for a summer vacation, crank your settings up even higher to minimize energy usage while you’re away.
Tidy Up Outdoor Unit
For homeowners with outdoor AC components, you’ll need to add this to your maintenance to-do’s. As seasons change, dirt, leaves, branches, and other outdoor debris will collect onto your outdoor unit. Leaving the unit dirty and unattended could result in clogs and weakened system efficiency. We recommend cleaning your outdoor unit periodically to ensure peak system performance. Generally, you can clean most of it by hand and then spray everything else off with a hose.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
Lastly, scheduling a visit with your local HVAC specialist should top off your summer maintenance to-do list. While many of the above-mentioned tasks can be dealt with on your own, it’s best to have a professional give a second look. Preparing your system for the seasonal change, your HVAC technician will give your system a tune-up and identify any potential problems that could interfere with your summer comfort.
HVAC Heating and Cooling with ACS
If you need heating and cooling services for your home or business, you can count on ACS to get the job done. With decades of industry experience, our certified HVAC technicians will optimize your indoor comfort with our premium HVAC services. Connect with our team today for top-quality HVAC maintenance, repair, or installation in Covington, Milledgeville, and surrounding areas.
