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Recording-breaking temperatures are being felt globally and show no signs of stopping any time soon. Americans should expect consistent heat waves this summer and even wildfires in some regions of the country. No one wants to be stuck with their AC not working in triple-digit weather. With muggy days on the horizon, homeowners need to make sure their HVAC system is ready to battle the heat.
The end of spring is the perfect time to tackle those HVAC chores. By taking some simple steps now, you can avoid sweaty meltdowns (and expensive repairs) later. Regular maintenance can save you big bucks in the long run, keeping your cool (literally) and your wallet happy, no matter how crazy the weather gets. So, let's dive in and see why summer HVAC prep is an absolute must for any homeowner!
Why Prepare Your AC Before Summer?
Summer is the busiest time of year for AC systems. Due to continuous use and heavy energy demands, they're more likely to break down. Regular system inspections and maintenance before the summer arrives help homeowners identify and fix potential problems before they turn into major issues.
HVAC systems work hard to maintain the desired temperature in your home, but air conditioner parts inevitably wear down and become inefficient over time. The best way to combat this and extend the life of your system is through regular maintenance. Both professional maintenance by technicians and at-home maintenance by the homeowner are necessary to keep an HVAC system running smoothly. Maintenance tasks like changing your air filter, checking refrigerant levels, and lubricating moving parts, can ensure that your HVAC system remains efficient and functional for years.
How To Prepare Your AC For The Summer: Summer HVAC Prep Checklist
Before summer arrives, there are specific tasks homeowners should complete to reduce the chances of their AC not working when they need it to. Our Summer HVAC Prep Checklist will help you get all your air conditioner parts in perfect working order.
One of the most important things to do is schedule a tune-up with a licensed HVAC professional. They will inspect your system, clean it, and identify potential problems that may lead to malfunctions. Regular maintenance by a professional HVAC technician will extend the lifespan of your AC equipment and save you thousands of dollars in the long run.
Dirty, clogged air filters restrict airflow, reducing your system's efficiency by making it work harder than it needs to. This increases your energy bills and wears out your air conditioner parts. Replacing your air filter regularly optimizes airflow and maintains high indoor air quality. This is especially true in the summer when your system will be active for longer and larger volumes of air will move through your air ducts.
The thermostat is how a homeowner communicates with their HVAC system, so it’s important to ensure it functions correctly. Thermostats lose accuracy over time and must be regularly calibrated according to the directions found in the user manual. A thermostat that is not calibrated will cause unnecessary spikes in your energy bill.
Outdoor AC units have cracks and crevices that can become clogged with debris, dirt, and leaves. This restricts airflow, which can reduce efficiency. To clean the outdoor unit, turn off the power to the unit and remove all visible debris on and around the unit. You may need to do this multiple times per season.
Like the rest of your air conditioner parts, ductwork can break down over time. Leaks are a common issue found in ductwork but are easily repaired with the help of a professional. Sealing leaks helps optimize airflow so your HVAC system doesn’t use more energy than it needs to.
By taking these steps, you can prepare your HVAC system for extreme temperatures and reduce the chances of your AC not working in the summer. Your family deserves to breathe clean air and be comfortable at home, so it’s important to keep up with both professional and at-home maintenance regularly.
Why Is My AC Blowing Out Hot Air? (Hint: It Could be Your Air Filter)
Having your AC stuck blowing out hot air in the middle of a sweltering, muggy summer day is less than ideal for everyone involved. Luckily, this problem is avoidable with regular HVAC maintenance. There are various reasons your AC is not working properly – including restricted airflow, thermostat issues, refrigerant issues, electrical issues, and more.
Clogged Air Filter
Restricted airflow usually results from a clogged air filter. A clogged air filter can cause your AC’s evaporator coils to freeze, blowing warm air out of the vents. An HVAC professional can quickly resolve this problem with an AC tune-up, but it could also have easily been avoided with regular air filter changes.
Malfunctioning Thermostat
Another possible cause of hot air blowing out of your AC is your thermostat. If your thermostat is malfunctioning or uncalibrated, it can cause your AC to blow out hot air because it’s not accurately detecting the indoor air temperature. Make sure that your thermostat is calibrated so your HVAC system can accurately control your indoor air temperature.
Refrigerant Leak
A refrigerant leak can also cause your AC to blow out hot air. Refrigerants are chemicals responsible for cooling the air that your AC blows out. If there is not enough refrigerant in the system, the air will not be cooled to the desired temperature. Refrigerant leaks can be caused by a damaged or worn-out line or a leak in the evaporator or condenser coils. Your refrigerant could have also been underfilled during the system installation. If you suspect you have a refrigerant leak, schedule a service with an HVAC professional as soon as you can.
Electrical Issues
Lastly, electrical issues, such as a blower motor burnout or a blown fuse, can cause your AC to blow hot air. Some electrical issues can be identified by a smoke-like odor. If you suspect an electrical issue, immediately contact a qualified HVAC professional to diagnose and repair the problem.
If your AC is blowing hot air, contacting a licensed HVAC technician is important to diagnose and repair your air conditioner parts. They can identify the root cause of the problem and perform the necessary repairs to get your AC back to blowing cold air. However, remember that regular maintenance by professionals and the homeowner can reduce the chances of this malfunction happening in the first place. It can also help you avoid paying for expensive replacement air conditioner parts and future problems with your AC not working.
How Air Filters Keep Your AC Efficient in the Summer
Air filters are crucial in keeping your AC running efficiently and maintaining high indoor air quality, especially in the summer. They capture dust, dirt, and other pollutants when air is pushed through your HVAC system.
When an air filter becomes clogged with debris, it can restrict airflow, making it more difficult for your AC system to pull in air and circulate it throughout your home. This can cause your AC to use more energy to maintain your desired temperature, resulting in higher energy bills and increased wear on your air conditioner parts. Replacing your air filter once at least every 3 months can help to prevent these issues. By ensuring that your air filter is clean and free of debris, you can help to optimize airflow and help avoid your AC not working. This is particularly important in the summer.
If you want to begin checking off your Summer HVAC Prep chores, start with Filterbuy. We carry 600+ air filter sizes across 3 different MERV ratings so you’ll have no problem finding the perfect filter to fit your home. All our filters are made in the U.S.A. with high-quality, durable materials so you can trust that each filter will effectively clean your air for a full 3 months. Filterbuy offers custom sizing and even Odor Eliminator filters to meet all your filtration needs.
