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As the summer ends, your mind is likely thinking about getting the kids back to school or the start of football season. However, it’s critical that you take some time to prepare your HVAC system for the transition to cooler weather. Most of California uses heat pumps, so getting your system taken care of before the heating season hits will help keep your entire HVAC system in better condition overall.
Schedule a System Inspection
Ideally, you’ll have a professional come take a look at your HVAC system to ensure that there aren’t any leaks, clogs or other issues that need to be dealt with. You can also include a cleaning during your end-of-season inspection to get rid of leaves, dirt or other debris that you don’t want to linger.
You should also make sure that air filters are changed if needed. Typically, filters need to be changed every 30 to 90 days depending on manufacturer instructions. If they are not changed, debris will simply bounce off of them and back into the air. Alternatively, that debris might land on HVAC components, which will force them to work harder to generate the conditioned air that you need.
Debris that is not trapped by an air filter can also make its way through your home’s ducts and vents. In some cases, pollen, dirt or dust can remain in the ducts and coat them with a layer of material that reduces the space available for air to flow through it.
Clogged ducts can wreak havoc with your heating system as well, so it’s important to have air filters checked on a regular basis. It’s also a good idea to consider a duct cleaning every three to five years to improve HVAC efficiency as well as indoor air quality.
When you schedule an AC tune-up, your technician will inspect every inch of your system, including capacitors and fans as well as what we’ve mentioned above. Some components may need repairs or replacement, but doing so is often less expensive and labor-intensive than replacing your system altogether.
Clear Up the Outdoor Unit
Since heat pumps do both heating and cooling, the outdoor unit works year-round to keep you comfortable. The last thing you want is for pests to get inside of it though debris near the unit is almost as bad. Make the outdoor unit less attractive to pests by mowing the grass, trimming tree branches and removing shrubs from its general vicinity. You’ll also want to remove acorns, leaves or anything else that might be considered a food source.
The biggest thing to make sure of here is that you leave at least one full foot of clearance on each side of the outdoor unit, with at least a few feet above it as well. Too many items around the unit will restrict its airflow, which will then make your system work harder and use more energy, along with shortening its lifespan. Since you’re likely going to use your heat pump again soon to keep your home cozy, you’ll want to make sure that outdoor unit is clear of any potential blockages.
Clearing the area around the outdoor unit minimizes the risk of physical damage. For instance, removing tree branches means that they can’t fall on the outdoor unit during a fall or winter windstorm.
Finally, have a professional inspect your outdoor unit’s coils to make sure they’re in good condition. They’re relatively fragile components that are easy to bend or break, but they’re crucial to how your system functions, whether it’s heating or cooling your home. These coils need to stay clean or they’ll have trouble absorbing and expelling heat. You can clean them with a hose if you’re confident, but in general, it’s best to leave the coils to a professional technician.
Check the Thermostat
Although the weather can remain rather warm into the early fall months, it’s still cooler in October than it is in July. You’ll also likely notice that the temperature tends to level off quickly after the sun goes down the later you go into the year.
Therefore, before cold weather really hits, you may run into a situation where you run the air conditioner during the day and keep it off at night. Ideally, you’ll have the thermostat programmed to keep your house anywhere from 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the day. This ensures that you’re comfortable without forcing the AC to run 24 hours a day.
You may want to consider switching to a smart thermostat that can adjust the temperature based on your habits. For instance, the thermostat will keep rooms that are rarely occupied slightly warmer than those that aren’t.
It’s also a good idea to ensure that the thermostat is placed correctly in your home. Ideally, it will be located in a room that is routinely occupied, is free of drafts and receives minimum direct sunlight. This ensures that it’s accurately measuring the air temperature and minimizes the risk that either the furnace or air conditioner run longer than they need to.
Seal Air Leaks
Gaps around door or window frames allow conditioned air to leak out of your house and allow overly warm or cool air to come in (depending on the weather). This means that your system will work harder than it needs to in an effort to maintain a consistent temperature.
Heat can also transfer into and out of spaces that lack adequate insulation, such as the attic or basement. If ducts are improperly installed or damaged, they can allow air to slip into spaces that no one occupies.
Therefore, it’s critical that you inspect your home for drafts, gaps or other areas where air can escape. A professional can perform an analysis to determine the source of a leak and what can be done to fix it.
It may be possible to simply caulk around door or window frames or place weatherstripping under doors or along your garage door. However, you’ll want a professional to repair or replace ducts or take more drastic measures to ensure better indoor air quality.
Should You Upgrade Your HVAC System?
An HVAC system will typically last for 10 to 15 years when properly maintained. However, older systems are unlikely to be as efficient as newer models, and they may also be more likely to break or otherwise have higher maintenance needs compared to newer models.
The end of the summer, before the temperature really drops, can be a great time to evaluate whether you want to upgrade your system and how to do so. Doing so may mean less lead time prior to your AC installation, and you won’t have to worry about waking up to a cold house because the heat pump randomly stopped working.
If you are looking to keep your HVAC system in good condition this fall, our team can help. We can maintain air conditioners, install a new furnace or clean your home’s ducts to ensure that your home is comfortable regardless of what the calendar says.
Don’t hesitate to contact Associated Heating & Air in Anaheim today to learn more about how we can help meet your needs while staying within your budget.
