As spring heats up in Greater San Antonio, homeowners are wise to take some time to get their homes’ HVAC systems ready for summer. Here are some ways to ensure energy savings and protect your home and cooling equipment during the hot days ahead:
- Check the condition of your air conditioning system’s filter. Start the cooling season with a fresh, clean filter. Clean filters help to ensure optimal airflow through your system as well as energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
- Set up a reminder to change the filter. When you use your air conditioner 24/7, check the filter once a month. If you’re not sure how long it takes your filter to become full, set up a calendar reminder to check the filter four weeks after you install a new one. Take it out and hold it up to the light: If it’s dirty, brown or full of lint-like dust, you know it’s time to change it.
- Schedule a maintenance visit. A cooling technician should conduct a comprehensive inspection of the system to ensure that it can operate a peak performance.
- Check your home’s ductwork. Generally as part of an HVAC tune-up, your cooling technician will also check the condition of your ducts and seal them to close up any leaks. Doing so will ensure that you receive more of the cooled air that your A/C generates.
- Prepare the outdoor A/C unit. Remove the outdoor cover before you fire up the system, and check the area immediately surrounding the unit, removing any leaves or debris that could affect airflow.
In addition, consider upgrading your attic insulation. Texas’ hot climate means that a lot of heat is more likely to build up in your attic, greatly affecting A/C performance. Ensure that your attic’s insulation rates an R-value of 38 or higher to prevent the movement of outside heat into the space, further impacting the temperature of your living spaces.
Don’t let San Antonio’s stifling heat take you by surprise. Get your home ready for summer to maximize your energy savings. For help, contact the experts at Jon Wayne Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
Energy efficiency image via Shutterstock
