Can you feel it? Summer is coming! It’s almost time for cookouts, cool drinks, and trips to the beach. Of course, you can’t have any of that in Virginia without the scorching heat and sticky humidity!
You can drink a gallon of icy sweet tea, eat popsicles for days, and even strip down to your skivvies, but you can’t escape the warmth of a Richmond summer. When it’s that time of year, the worst thing that can happen is for your cooling system to collapse. That makes now the perfect time to plan ahead and ensure your family’s comfort. Here are some tips to get your air conditioner ready for the summer.
Change Your Filters
As we head into a new season, it’s a great time to change your air filters. It’s so simple and affordable that many seriously underestimate the value, but it really can make a huge difference. When an air filter is dirty and clogged, your cooling system will have to work that much harder.
Not only will this decrease the efficiency of your HVAC, but you’ll also pay more on your energy bills. Increased efficiency isn’t the only reason to change your filters, either. When you throw away the old one, you’ll be ridding your home of all the trapped particles from Virginia’s horrendous allergy season!
Check the Ducts
Along the same lines, when your ductwork has become clogged and bogged down by dirt, dust, and other contaminants, it makes it harder for air to circulate. When the weather is at its hottest, you want to be sure your air conditioner is working at peak performance, not struggling to distribute cool air throughout your home.
The best way to ensure your ducts are ready for cool air is to get a professional cleaning. Doing this comes with an added perk — they’ll look for signs of leaks. With any potential problems patched up and repaired, your air conditioner will be heading into summer in tip top shape!
Clean Up Your Yard
After the long winter months, you’ll want to tidy up your yard. Not only will it look better, but it will also help get your air conditioner ready for summer. Clear away any debris, trash, and plant growth that has accumulated around your outdoor condenser unit.
Maintain a clearing of at least three feet around your HVAC unit to ensure safety and efficiency. If you notice any mud, grass or soil caked on to the surface, be sure to hose it down. Note — if you plan to do a deep cleaning or inspect the components, be sure you turn the power off first!
Install a Programmable Thermostat
When the weather is hot, it’s tempting to crank up the air conditioning, but it doesn’t always need to be running at such a high capacity. When the temps cool down or you’re out of the house for the day, your HVAC doesn’t need to be working as hard. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution that will keep your home comfortable while reducing energy consumption.
Programmable thermostats can provide climate control by automatically adjusting based on the settings you choose throughout the day, and even in different areas of your home. If you want to stay cool while saving some money, just set it and forget it!
Make a Maintenance Appointment
There are many things you can do to help prepare your air conditioner for summer, but a qualified technician can perform all of the tasks we’ve already mentioned while also ensuring that everything is in proper working order. They may be able to identify potential issues before they become big problems, which could save you the inconvenience and expense of an emergency call. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!
W.G. Speeks has been helping locals in the Greater Richmond Area beat the heat for more than 75 years. We’ll help make sure your cooling system is running smoothly during the hot, humid summers. Call us today for a free consultation!
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