Who doesn’t look forward to the summer? Not many people I’ll guess, looking forward to long warm days when you can get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Open up the windows and let the cobwebs blown away (figuratively speaking of course).
There are a few things which may need your attention before the summer really hots up however, and inspecting your HVAC system is certainly one of them.
Here are a few of the things you should do to make sure that everything is ship shape and in good working order before the temperatures really start to soar:
* Put your air conditioning unit to the test – before it is really needed you should switch on your air conditioning system for an hour or two to see if it is working efficiently. If you don’t notice any problems until the first really hot day then you could have a long wait for a service provider to get to you.
* Inspect all air filters – the EPA – Environment Protection Agency suggest that you inspect your HVAC system filters every month to make sure that they are clean and in good order. Any which aren’t in good order should be replaced as quickly as possible. Filters are one of the key components in any air conditioning system and furnace so if they aren’t in good order things will only go downhill from there. If you’re filters are kept clean and in good order it will help to protect the HVAC system from an accumulation of debris and dust which in turn helps to protect your family from breathing in any allergens or dust particles. Clean filters which are in a good state of repair also help to increase the efficiency of your unit which in turn reduces the energy needed for it to work correctly.
* Take a look outside – it’s also important that you keep the area around your HVAC unit clean and clear which could entail trimming back shrubs, plants and other debris from around the unit. Any blockages could completely hamper or severely decrease the airflow across the cooling fins of the units which in turn decrease the efficiency of the entire HVAC system. Check that the drainage hole is clean and clear too.
* Check out your air ducts – if your ductwork has a leak it could mean up to 25% loss of energy efficiency. Lots of things can accumulate in the ductwork including dust, mold and mildew which can cause problems with the air quality circulated within your home. If you aren’t up to the job yourself call in the experts to help you with this, it really is that important.
* Clean your house – not the normal flick around with a duster but those tricky places where dust and debris can gather but are difficult to get to. Clean out your bathroom fans, behind and beneath the refrigerator, lamp shades, light bulbs, gutters and air vents.
If you don’t have a regular maintenance contract to ensure that your HVAC system is always working efficiently then the least you can do is to carry out these checks.
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