Summer is finally here, and while everyone’s thoughts are turning to days at the beach and nights in the backyard pool, it’s also the time to work hard to improve your HVAC efficiency.
The last thing you need is to have the new HVAC system you installed last summer breaking down because you didn’t maintain it properly. On the other hand, if you haven’t upgraded your unit in a while, you’re going to need to do that as well.
In Charleston homeowners know how humid and extremely hot the heat can be during the summer season. Below you’ll find a few ways to prepare your home for the summer heat by increasing your HVAC efficiency.
1. Upgrade Your HVAC System
If your HVAC system is more than 10 years old, then Lowcountry living could get really uncomfortable for you in the middle of a southern heatwave. The heat can do horrible things to your body, so you want to ensure your HVAC system is upgraded to a more efficient system before the summer begins.
If your system is over 10 years old, it’s possible that it’s not the best energy-efficient option out there. Some older units, in fact, aren’t very energy efficient at all. Once you’ve upgraded your system, make sure to have a professional HVAC company come out and inspect the unit for you regularly, which is the best way to ensure you’re ready for the hot summer ahead.
2. Seal Up Air Leaks in Your Home
While you can’t see it, any air that seeps through your ductwork or your windows and doors reduces your unit’s efficiency and can cause your energy bills to skyrocket. It’s important to seal those leaks properly before the summer begins.
While you might be able to spot huge leaks in your ductwork, there could be little leaks in the ductwork in the attic and other spots that you can’t see with the naked eye. This is the same as tossing your hard-earned money out of the window, along with the cool air escaping from your home.
It’s best to have a reputable HVAC service check for leaks for you. Make sure to seal the air leaks in your windows and doors before summer begins as well. One of the best ways to ensure air isn’t leaving your home through the windows is to upgrade your windows to energy-efficient models before the summer begins.
3. Perform Regular Maintenance Duties
Not only can your HVAC professional come out and inspect your unit before the heatwave begins, but you can perform regular maintenance duties on your HVAC unit also.
While you’re waiting on the HVAC service to come out and inspect your unit, clean around the condenser unit itself. The condenser unit is the unit that sits on the outside of your home and is responsible for getting that cool air inside. The condenser unit does its job best when it’s clean.
Make sure to remove any debris, cut away any deep grass and rake up any leaves that have gathered there over the long winter months for the best results.
It’s also important to check any indoor vents for signs of blockage, as that’ll stop the cool air from getting into and circulating throughout your home. For example, large pieces of furniture or rugs draped over or near vents can block the airflow and decrease the efficiency of your unit.
Vents covered in dust and debris make the HVAC unit work harder to cool your home, lower the unit’s efficiency, and increase your energy bills. Take the time to vacuum and inspect your vents before summer begins, and it’ll save you time and money in the long run.
4. Change Your Air Filter Regularly
One of the easiest things to forget when maintaining an HVAC unit is changing the air filter. The air filter is out of sight, so it’s often out of mind as well. It’s one of the most important tasks to remember if you want to increase the efficiency of your unit during the scorching summer months ahead.
Air filters are easy to find at any hardware or big box store; you just need to know the size that you need before you go. It’s important to change out your air filter monthly, sometimes more, if you live in an extremely dusty place, which the Lowcountry can be.
Air filters usually only cost a few dollars unless you get allergy-reducing filters, which is always a good idea. Switching out your air filter is easy to do. Simply remove the cover, take out the old filter, replace it with the new filter, and put the cover back on. However, it’s best to switch off the air during the process just to be on the safe side.
HVAC Efficiency Reduces Energy Bills
While you, of course, want to keep your home cool during a summer heatwave in the Lowcountry, increasing the efficiency of your HVAC unit isn’t just about being comfortable. A unit that isn’t working at prime efficiency is a drain on energy and can send your energy bills through the roof.
The harder your unit has to work to cool your home, the higher your electric bills are going to climb. So, if you’ve noticed your energy bills skyrocketing during the summer season, your HVAC unit could be the culprit.
Schedule HVAC System Maintenance Today
These are just four of the ways that you can increase your HVAC efficiency before the Lowcountry’s summer heat settles in. All of the ways above will help to increase the way your unit operates, keep you cool this summer, and lower your energy bills as well. To schedule system maintenance on your HVAC unit, contact us today for an appointment.
