When it comes to summer, thoughts of sunshine and vacations loom large in most people’s minds. Very few are thinking about how to prepare their air conditioner for the sometimes scorching summer heat (unless you’re in the HVAC business!)

Luckily for you, that’s exactly what we think about 24/7 and we are going to share our best tips, hacks, and practices to prepare your HVAC for summer.

How Do I Prepare my HVAC for Summer?

Getting your HVAC ready for the warm summer months is a task best executed in the spring or early summer. It’s ideal to get a tune-up early in the season because you can easily address any issues discovered before the summer heat hits. In addition, HVAC companies tend to be less busy during the spring and early summer months.

Here are five tips for preparing your HVAC for the summer:

  1. Open all your vents and ensure they are clean and clear of clogs.
  2. Schedule your annual AC Tune-Up to ensure your system is functioning properly.
  3. Clean and/or replace your filter regularly.
  4. Clear debris from near your outdoor AC unit.
  5. Test your AC unit by setting the thermostat to cool and ensuring it is operating properly.

HVAC Best Practices for Summer

There are many questions on how to best maintain and utilize your air conditioning system over the summer. From ideal temperature to energy efficiency, here are our HVAC best practices for summer.

Maintain Your Air Conditioner

An annual AC tune-up is imperative to maintaining and extending the life of your equipment. Proactive service helps to avoid sudden breakdowns and catch small problems before they turn into big ones.

Thermostat Status

While the standard summer thermostat setting has often been cited as 78 degrees, the U.S. Department of Energy recently revised its recommendation. The updated energy-saving advice encourages you to find a temperature that is comfortable and helps to fight humidity but is not vastly different than the temperature outside.

In addition, the cooler the air is, the more it may be affecting your health. Air conditioning has been found to lead to headaches caused by dehydration and blood vessel contraction. Find a comfortable temperature for you and your family that doesn’t lead to headaches.

A good night’s sleep is also affected by the temperature in your home, specifically, in your bedroom. The National Sleep Foundation suggests that the ideal temperature for optimal sleep is between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit. However, during the hot summer months, this can be a difficult (and expensive) temperature to sustain, so ensure you’re using fans and dehumidifiers to help get a restful night of sleep.

Save Money

Running your air conditioner can be especially costly during the hottest summer months. Luckily, we have a few tips to help you save money this summer.

HVAC Tips to Save Money this Summer:

  • Use your ceiling fans – remember, fans cool people NOT rooms, so be sure to turn fans off when you leave a room.
  • Get a programmable thermostat – the advanced technology of these thermostats allows you to automatically warm and cool your home based on comfort factors, and much more.
  • Clean your air filters – when your filters are dirty or clogged, your AC unit must work harder to cool your home, increasing your energy use and costing you money.

Contact the professionals at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning today for help with making sure you’re keeping your HVAC system as efficient as possible during these dog days of summer.