5 Tips for Helping Your HVAC Transition From Heating to Cooling
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, so an HVAC system that works well is able to turn from heating the home in the winter to keeping it cool during the hot summer months. There are actions a homeowner can take to make the transition easier. Here are five of the important actions to help transition your HVAC unit from heating to cooling.
1. Have an HVAC Professional Check the System
Ideally, an HVAC professional should be called in to check the system twice a year: just before the cooling season and just before the heating season. A professional can find problems that a layperson would overlook and can troubleshoot them before those problems grow large and expensive to fix. Some HVAC companies even have service contracts where a professional is sent to the home to check the HVAC system automatically, without the homeowner needing to remember and call for an appointment.
2. Change the Filters
Regularly changing the filters in an HVAC system can’t be stressed enough, but it’s especially important during the transition from heating to cooling. Filters not only keep pollutants from entering the indoor air, but they also keep the HVAC system from working so hard that it has to be constantly repaired and eventually replaced before the usual end of its working life. An HVAC professional can also tell the homeowner which type of filter is best for their system.
3. Maintain Vents and Ducts
The change of seasons is the time to clean out the registers and vents in the rooms. To clean them, turn off the HVAC system, take off the vent or grille cover and wipe it down, then vacuum out the ducts as much as possible. There are also special brushes made to clean out vents. Another thing to do is to remove furniture, clothing, and other items from the vents to make sure they have a free flow of air.
An HVAC professional can also be called in to look for and repair leaks in the ductwork. Even small leaks make an HVAC system less efficient, which raises energy bills.
4. Clear the Area Around the Condenser
Whether a home uses a mini split ductless system or a traditional HVAC system, the condenser is usually found outside. Over the season, plants or debris may have accumulated around it. It’s even possible that animals have built nests inside the unit. All of this has to be removed so the condenser can work properly. Remove trash and nests, prune back plants, and gently wash out the unit with the garden hose. Then, check the wiring, and call a professional if wires or connections are frayed or damaged.
5. Adjust the Thermostat
Ideally, the thermostat should be adjusted to be a little cooler than the homeowner likes during the heating season and a little warmer during the cooling season. It’s also a good idea to set the thermostat to cooling mode just before the cooling season begins. This helps the homeowner identify any potential problems with the thermostat and have them fixed in advance.
Follow these above tips when you are trying to make the transition from heating to cooling on your HVAC unit.
