10 Tips for Preparing Your HVAC System for Summer

Preparing your HVAC system for summer is crucial to prolong its lifespan and maintain its efficiency. These 10 tips will help you find comfort and save energy.

10 Tips for Preparing Your HVAC System for Summer

Summer is right around the corner, but is your HVAC system ready? If you want to beat the intense heat in Los Angeles, it’s important to prepare your HVAC system for summer. For many, it seems to be a tough task. This comprehensive guide serves to provide valuable tips to ensure that your HVAC system does its task efficiently in all seasons, allowing you to stay comfortable not only in summer but all year long.

Choosing the best HVAC system for your climate

Before delving into the tips for preparing your HVAC system for summer, it is crucial to pick the right HVAC system for the heat of Los Angeles which can last for months. That’s right! You will need a system that won’t break a sweat. Here are some key factors to consider before purchasing your HVAC system.

1. Finding the right size for your HVAC system is essential to determine the system’s efficiency. This depends on various elements such as the size of your home and levels of insulation. In other words, an undersized HVAC system will struggle to cool your home efficiently, whereas an oversized one may often cycle on and off, therefore, resulting in energy waste. 
   

2. Another critical factor to consider when searching for your HVAC system in Los Angeles is energy efficiency. Apart from keeping your space cool in summer, purchasing a highly efficient system will help you reduce energy bills and environmental impact. Thus, look for systems with high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings to be sure that they provide optimal energy efficiency. 
   

3. Choose between the various types of HVAC systems in the Los Angeles market that will match your needs. This includes central air conditioning, ductless mini-split, and many more systems. While both of these systems are typical choices for homeowners in Los Angeles, the ductless mini-split system is becoming significantly popular due to its features including flexibility in installation and energy efficiency. 

Again, the choosing “right” HVAC system depends on several factors such as your budget, preferences in installation, the home’s layout, and comfort. 

1. Make your life easier by seeking smart features. They make the HVAC systems more user-friendly and enhance comfort, energy efficiency, and convenience. Some of the smart features include mobile app controls, Wi-Fi connectivity, voice activation, geofencing (detecting that you are not at home), and more. 

For example, smart thermostats are integrated into HVAC systems, allowing you to control them through your smartphone, as well as other features such as scheduling and adjusting the temperature based on your preferences.  

Essential tips for preparing your HVAC system for summer

Spring is the perfect time to start preparing your HVAC system for summer. The sooner you start, the less money will go down the road. The following are the tips that will help you save time, money, and effort to get your system ready for summer.  

1. Clear the debris around the condenser

For your HVAC system to work properly, it’s important to check the condenser and keep the area around it clean.

The heat from the house is absorbed and sent to the condenser then dispersed in the air. Thus, dust, dirt, leaves, and other elements accumulate and result in your HVAC system to work harder. Make sure to clear out all the debris on or around the condenser to avoid risking your HVAC system’s breakdown.

Notably, if you live by the ocean, it is crucial to have your system maintained and checked regularly as the ocean breeze can bring in more dust and sand, therefore, accelerating the accumulation of debris.

2. Clean the condenser coils

Continuing on the system’s heat exchange, the condenser coils play a significant role in this process. The coils refer to the metal tubes that work together to conduct heat exchange. As coils can become dirty quickly, you must clean them regularly otherwise the accumulation of debris will cause the system to consume more energy. 

There are various methods of cleaning the coils, but the most common technique is spraying the interior of the coils using a coil cleaner. After spraying, wait between 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off. 

3. Check or replace air filters

Unclean air filters lead to reduced airflow and efficiency of the HVAC system. It is best to clean or replace them every season before starting the system. The blocked filters strain the HVAC system and lead to mediocre air quality. In contrast, replacing or cleaning the filters regularly can significantly improve air circulation and keep your home dust-free. 

4. Clear and open the vents

Dust, pet hair, and other pollutants can accumulate in the ducts when they are left unchecked. Thus, your HVAC system will not only bring the debris back into your home but it will also not function optimally. 

You can use a vacuum or call professional help to make sure that they are thoroughly cleaned.

5. Inspect the coolant lines

The coolant line refers to the set of pipes and tubes that circulate refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor units. Checking all the pipes and tubes of your HVAC system is a difficult task, but you can take a look at the visible ones to inspect their condition using a flashlight. 

It is critical to check if the coolant lines are properly insulated to prevent energy loss and maintain your HVAC system’s efficiency. 

6. Invest in a smart thermostat

As previously mentioned, considering a programmed thermostat comes with benefits. The easiest tip to minimize energy bills in the long run is investing in a smart thermostat as it allows you to set the system to operate for specific hours at certain temperatures. 

One way to take advantage of this technology is by connecting your thermostat to your schedule to prevent wasting energy when you are not at home.

7. Clean the ducts occasionally

Like the remaining components of your HVAC system, it’s important to check if your ducts need cleaning, although cleaning them regularly is not recommended by experts. Some elements that lead to the need for duct cleaning include mold and mildew, dust, and microorganisms. 

Keeping your ducts clean will increase the system’s lifespan, improve indoor air quality, minimize foul smell, reduce the growth of allergens, and enhance the system’s efficiency.

8. Clean Evaporator Coils

Similar to the condenser coils, debris accumulates in the evaporator coils of your system which reduces their ability to conduct heat exchange. 

Use a brush to clear the accumulated debris then clean the indoor evaporator coils with water and a coil cleaner. 

9. Reset the thermostat temperature

The thermostat must be adjusted as its settings differ by season. Experts recommend homeowners in Los Angeles to set the temperature to 78°F while at home and 88°F when away to save money and keep your comfort.

10. Schedule maintenance regularly

Scheduling regular maintenance for your HVAC system is essential to extend its lifespan and prevent damage. Properly maintained systems perform better and are more energy-efficient. This will help you save money in the long term.

Technicians inspect the HVAC system and identify the potential issues and risks promptly before they become costly later.

Contact us for professional help

Our experienced and licensed team of experts at X company is happy to help you with the maintenance and repairs necessary to ensure that your HVAC system is functioning properly and efficiently. Contact us to schedule a professional tune-up with our team to make the process as seamless as possible for you.