It’s been quite the long winter — and as the seasons change, many are looking forward to hotter days and cranking up that in-home AC of theirs. However, before doing so, you should tend to your residential HVAC system to prevent long-term damage and risk injury to the health of those in the household.
It may seem daunting at first, but there are rather simple steps you can take to ensure the longevity of your HVAC system — which will allow you to create a comfortable living environment during those long summer days. So when you’re ready to escape the hot sun on a summer day, your HVAC system will be prepared to tackle its heaviest tasks.
This blog post will help you get your residential HVAC system prepared for the summer. Here’s how!
Have Your HVAC System Inspected
Having your residential HVAC system inspected is an absolute must in taking care of such. At XTRAIRE, our trained professionals can inspect all aspects of your intricate HVAC system, clean your air ducts, and conduct appropriate measures to ensure the health and safety of those in your household during those long summer months.
Check For Visible Damage
This one may be obvious, but it’s quite often overlooked. You should inspect walls, surrounding vent areas, and your central air unit for any visible damage. This includes signs of leakage and corrosion.
As your residential HVAC system is composed of many different parts (usually made of metals like copper and aluminum), keeping tabs on visible damage and why it may occur is important in its maintenance. Leakage, for example, may be indicative of a malfunctioning condensate pump, a clogged drain (which can be snaked out), or an overflowing drain pan (which can be remediated with a wet vac).
Our trained experts at XTRAIRE can also help diagnose and alleviate any issues that are deep in your residential HVAC system. Metal parts are often susceptible to corrosion, which can easily be replaced by one of our many technicians.
Is the Outside Clear?
If you find that the air conditioning in your home is insufficient, perhaps there are outside obstructions blocking your outside unit. Take a look outside and inspect your central air unit for shrubbery, vegetation, and debris that may be clogging up your system.
If you find that your house is being insufficiently cooled, it’s probably because outside obstructions are blocking the evaporator coil — which aids refrigerant in absorbing in-home heat. Make sure that your air conditioning unit has enough breathing room. 3 to 5 feet should be sufficient.
Be Mindful of Air Filter Health and Other Contaminants
The air filter is one of the most important parts of your residential HVAC system. Acting as a gatekeeper, the air filter safeguards the inner parts of the system from external obstructions and contaminants.
When purchasing an air filter, be mindful of its MERV rating. MERV, short for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, indicates how effective your air filter is. Rated from 1-20, an air filter with a MERV rating of 13 is recommended for your residential HVAC system.
Air filters will sift contaminants such as dust, dirt, pollen, bacteria, viruses, and other harmful irritants from the air. Make sure to stay on top of your air filter’s health, however. Eventually it will get worn down and will need to be replaced. Changing your filter every 90 days is recommended.
Install Energy-Efficient Equipment
Aside from maintaining your residential HVAC system’s health, you may also want to install energy-efficient equipment in your home. Be on the lookout for Energy Star certified products.
The Energy Star program, initially started by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), helps consumers save money with products that meet strict energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly criteria. In fact, Energy Star-rated equipment can make your residential HVAC system 10% more energy-efficient than those that aren’t Energy Star-rated.
XTRAIRE’s Commitment to Residential HVAC
At XTRAIRE, we pride ourselves in knowing the ins and outs of commercial and residential HVAC systems. With the impending heat, our team of expert technicians are more than happy to help you get your residential HVAC system in order as the summer approaches. To learn more about how we can help, visit our website and contact us today!