When warm weather comes back around, it comes in fast. And if you aren’t ready, the change in your HVAC system—and in your utility bill—can be a shock.
Here are the top three things to avoid feeling the fire:
- Don’t skip the inspection. Many people knock these out during the spring and/or fall, but if it’s been a while, it’s a really good idea to have a professional inspection of your HVAC system. This can help identify things like blockages, leaks or other issues that can put a drain on the efficiency of your system—driving up costs. A simple preventive repair can help eliminate an expensive future repair.
- Pay attention to the flow of heat. Remember that heat rises, so if you live in a multi-level home, ensure you are using ceiling or standing fans to keep that air moving in the upper floor. Circulating the air keeps a more even temperature across all rooms and keeps your HVAC from having to work too hard. In addition, watch your use of open doors and windows. After being shut up in the winter, it can be tempting to throw open the door and let fresh air in—but if you do that all day, you are leaking a ton of cool air and letting in a ton of heat. Aim to open windows and doors only when the outside temperature is close to the indoor temperature, and keep the time they are open to a minimum.
- Manage your expectations. Ultimately, when the weather hits 100 degrees and up, your air-conditioning system is only going to be able to do so much. Although it can vary based on your system and your home, the rule of thumb is most A/Cs can only maintain an indoor temperature up to 20 degrees below the outdoor temperature, so on a triple-digit day it is still going to be quite warm inside. If you have done everything you can to update, clean out and maintain your HVAC and you are still suffering from an overheated interior, you may want to look at increasing or upgrading the insulation in your home—or use additional fans and know that a cool front isn’t too far away.
If you have questions or are ready to have your system inspected or upgraded, give us a shout. Call Dominion Service Company at 1-800-832-0758 or reach out online to schedule an appointment 24/7.