According to the EPA – Environmental Protection Agency, heat waves are growing more intense and lasting longer throughout the US. Texas has always experienced extreme heat in the summer; however, these heat waves are making the season unbearable.
In fact, in southern states, many residents have their air conditioning on now while the northern states are still battling snow and ice. The HVAC is used in areas like Allen for an extended period and excessively as temperatures climb.
This means residents must perform adequate care and upkeep, including regular professional inspections and maintenance in the spring and fall. Trusted and qualified HVAC contractors assess for developing wear and potential damage and make the necessary repairs to keep the system in good condition.
Reputable companies like DT Air Conditioning and Heating further instruct homeowners on proper upkeep between service calls to maintain peak performance and energy efficiency. Let’s review tips for preparing your air conditioning system for summer.
Prepare Your HVAC For Extreme Summer Heat
Texas residents rely heavily on their HVAC equipment to cool their homes from the sweltering summer heat. Temperatures in Allen and surrounding areas can escalate to as high as 120F with excessive heat warnings. The air conditioning system must be capable of withstanding the stress imposed by Mother Nature.
In that vein, it’s critical to enlist professional cooling and heating contractors for inspections, routine repairs, and maintenance to prevent the potential for a malfunctioning system or worse a break down in the intense heat. Here are simple tips to employ between these service calls to ensure optimal performance.
The air filters
The HVAC filters help circulate fresh, clean air throughout the house. These have the important function of collective contaminant, pollutant, debris from the air to leave you with a quality atmosphere.
Over time, however, these become dirty and dusty eventually clogging from the particles they collect. Changing them is recommend between one and three months to keep them efficient. A good rule of thumb is to check them periodically in order to change them promptly.
The best air filter for your system will be a recommendation by your air conditioning and heating contractor. Those sold in home improvement shops disallow dirt and debris from entering the air; however, they’re so restrictive, air struggles to pass through which can lead to a system breakdown.
The HVAC repair contractor will advise which filters work best for your air conditioning model.
The vents
The vents should have adequate care and upkeep, including checking to ensure they’re open, unobstructed, and clean. The system will be less efficient if the vents are dirty or blocked. These can inadvertently become partially closed or covered by furnishings, drapes, or rugs.
The vents should be routinely wiped down to eliminate dirt, dust, pet dander, and other built-up particles. Keeping them clean and free of debris allows greater airflow and optimal efficiency.
Many homeowners close vents leading to the basement with the idea that the space is cool and well-insulated. In fact, closing vents leads to greater stress on the system with the potential for equipment issues. All vents should remain open for higher performance from your heating and cooling system.
A smart thermostat
Temperatures in the next few months will fluctuate, even in Texas. HVAC contractors recommend that residents considering updating their thermostat to a more efficient programmable device. These can reduce energy wastage and save on utility costs.
Some systems work remotely from a mobile device to recognize when you’re away from home and will cool the space accordingly. The programmable thermostat allows homeowners to schedule adjustments and monitor temperature from anywhere.
The thermostat can be adjusted to cool the home to a more desirable temperature before arriving home from work or to allow for a better night’s sleep.
The system will then automatically readjust as you leave for work in the morning. Visit Tips and Tricks for AC Temperature in the Summer | Inspire Clean Energy – for tips on cooling your home in the summer.
Schedule inspections and maintenance
The air conditioning and heating system is a set of intricate components that must be regularly checked for wear or damage. The recommendation is to have an inspection in early spring to assess for developing issues. These can then be readily fixed while the system is tuned up.
The preventive measures ensure the equipment can tolerate heavy and extended usage during a hot Allen summer without the possibility of breaking down.
Contractors recommend maintenance in the fall and early spring to keep the equipment at peak performance. At this point, the equipment will also be cleaned, particularly the outdoor condenser unit which exposed to grass clippings, leaves, twigs and over debris.
Final Thought
The heat index is getting increasingly unbearable from one Texas summer to the next.
More people spend the summer indoors with their air conditioning. In order to ensure it provides the necessary comfort and safety from the heat, it’s vital to keep a twice yearly professional inspection and maintenance schedule. Read here for ideas on how to get your home ready for a sweltering summer.
