With summer temperatures in Norman, OK often reaching the mid-90s and higher, having a functional air conditioner or heat pump is essential. Fortunately, you can avoid mid-season breakdowns, indoor air quality (IAQ) problems, and soaring energy bills with the summertime HVAC maintenance checklist that follows.
Start With HVAC Air Filter Maintenance
All the air entering your heat pump or AC passes through your HVAC air filter. Starting the summer with a fresh filter is a great way to prevent airflow issues. As per most HVAC equipment manufacturers, homeowners should change their air filters every 30 to 90 days and inspect them monthly. Despite their simple designs and relatively low cost, air filters significantly impact overall HVAC performance.
Clean the Perimeter of Your Outdoor Condenser Unit
When inspecting your HVAC air filter, also check your condenser’s perimeter and clear it. This prevents airflow problems for your air conditioner or heat pump’s outside condenser unit by giving it plenty of clearance. Your condenser needs at least two feet of clearance all around. Remove fast-growing grasses and weeds, trim shrubs and branches from the area, and rake up all leaves, twigs, and other windblown debris.
Inspect and Clean Your HVAC Air Vents
HVAC air vents are often coated in thick, lint-like build-ups of blown-off filter debris. Operating your air conditioner with this can lead to poor indoor air quality, overheating, high humidity, and other problems. You can clean your HVAC air vent covers with a damp cloth. If necessary, you can also vacuum behind them to remove trapped materials.
Schedule Professional AC or Heat Pump Maintenance
Heat pumps and air conditioners require professional maintenance service once each year. Scheduling this service is essential for maintaining compliance with equipment manufacturer warranties. It also allows HVAC technicians to spot and resolve developing issues before they lead to summertime cooling emergencies.
During these visits, our technicians will:
- Check for and eliminate airflow obstructions
- Replaced worn components
- Lubricate moving parts
- Look for worn electrical contacts and wiring issues
- Calibrate thermostats
We also clean evaporator and condenser coils, check for refrigerant leaks, and clear AC condensate drains and drain lines.
Routine maintenance helps reduce wear that your cooling systems will sustain. It also minimizes future wear by limiting operational stress. By tuning up your AC or heat pump before summer begins you can look forward to lower energy bills and cleaner, fresher-smelling indoor air.
If you use a heat pump for both summertime cooling and winter heating, you need a twice-annual tune-up service. After challenging summer seasons, heat pumps require additional pre-winter support.
Schedule Professional HVAC Air Duct Cleaning
To avoid preventable energy waste and ensure reliable HVAC performance, you should schedule regular maintenance. Scheduling these services just before the summer season often works best for building residents struggling with seasonal allergies.
According to the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), cleaning HVAC air ducts every two to three years is important. Not only does this boost indoor air quality, but it also improves heater and AC efficiency. If you haven’t had your air ducts cleaned in a while, now may be the time to do so.
Boost Your IAQ With Indoor Air Quality Accessories
If the summer months normally leave your household sniffling, wheezing, and sneezing, you might benefit from adding indoor air quality accessories. A whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier helps maintain balanced indoor humidity. According to the EPA, indoor humidity should be between 30% and 50% year-round.
Additions like air scrubbers, sanitizing UV lights, and air purifiers eliminate the allergens, germs, and chemical contaminants that pass through air filters. With kids home from school and everyone spending more time indoors, accessorizing your HVAC system is a great way to prevent or slow the spread of illness and limit exposure to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and other indoor toxins.
Check and Adjust Your Thermostat’s Setting
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) asserts that homeowners can reduce their heating and cooling costs by as much as 10% by simply raising or lowering their thermostat settings when leaving or going to sleep. Even when you’re at home and awake, setting your thermostat just two degrees higher in the summer months won’t have a significant impact on your comfort, but it will result in a noticeably lower energy bill.
You can make these adjustments manually or upgrade your standard thermostat to a smart one. Smart thermostats eliminate the potential for human error and oversight. They also offer helpful features and functions like remote temperature monitoring and detailed energy reports. According to ENERGY STAR, this upgrade could help you cut your cooling-related energy costs by as much as 8%. Given that these devices are Wi-Fi-enabled, in summer, having a smart thermostat will also allow you to monitor and control your HVAC system while out of town and on vacation.
Turn to Your AC Maintenance Experts
We’re proud to serve Norman, OK, and the surrounding communities. You can count on us for expert heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services. We also offer whole-house surge protection, homeowner safety accessories, and preventative maintenance plans. To get your heating and cooling system ready for the summer season, contact Norman Air now!