5 Tips for Preparing your HVAC for the Summer Months
Warmer weather has finally arrived here in New Jersey, and it won’t be long until our air conditioners are running full throttle. With electricity costs rising, preparing your HVAC system for the summer months is essential. Here are five tips that will ensure you are ready.
#1. Replace All of Your Air Filters
Dirty, clogged filters prevent cool air from circulating throughout your facility. This means your HVAC system will have to work harder than normal and will therefore require more energy.
Ideally, you should replace all of your air filters each month. However, with many companies, air filter replacement is somewhat hit-or-miss. We can’t overstate how important it is to change your air filters regularly. Does your maintenance team have a hard time keeping up with filter changes? If so, our technicians would be happy to handle this task for you.
#2. Consider Installing a Smart Thermostat
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends adjusting your thermostat between 7 and 10 degrees for 8 hours each day. They claim that doing so can save you up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills. While setting your thermostat a little higher can save you money, it’s very easy to overlook in your rush to get out the door each day.
With a smart thermostat, you won’t have to worry about remembering to adjust A/C settings. Instead, you can easily program it for different temperatures based on work schedules or peak periods. Some models can even “learn” when heating and cooling is needed the most and will automatically adjust themselves in response. This will allow you to enjoy energy savings without adding one more thing to your already-crammed to-do list.
#3. Ensure Air Vents Aren’t Blocked
Just because your air filters are clean does not mean you will automatically have good airflow. Having objects around your air handler or furniture that blocks floor vents can also prohibit good airflow. Even partitions such as those used for cubicles can keep some areas from receiving the right amount of cool air, particularly if you have wall vents.
Walk around your facility and look for things that may be hindering cool air circulation. Remove clutter as needed and rearrange furniture to allow for the best possible airflow. Consider an open office setup if individual cubicle partitions keep cold air from moving freely.
#4. Think about your Ductwork
Leaking air from ductwork makes it harder to heat and cool your space. When it comes to repairing ductwork, many business owners put it off because they think it is too expensive. They don’t realize that by not having their ductwork repaired, they are costing themselves more money in the long run.
If it’s been some time since your air ducts were last replaced, schedule an inspection with South Jersey Heating and Cooling. We’ll let you know if your ductwork is broken, rusted, damaged, or otherwise not up to code. If you only need minor repairs, we can handle that for you, as well.
#5. Schedule a Tune-Up
Only a well-maintained air conditioner can operate at peak efficiency. Here at South Jersey Heating and Cooling, we recommend two maintenance appointments for our commercial and industrial clients each year. One should be performed in spring just before peak air conditioning season and will ensure your system is ready for those hot summer months ahead. The second should be performed in the fall. Our appointments do fill up quickly this time of year, so you should contact us right away to secure your timeslot.
