The Denver climate is known to be a frustratingly varied one. Spring will have you shoveling snow one day and airing out a basement the next. And before you know it, a hot Denver summer is on its way. Staying prepared and on top of your AC unit’s maintenance is the key to saving you from costly repairs and inconvenient breakdowns in the summer months. Here are 5 tips to prepare your AC system for summer.
1. Upgrade to a high-efficiency HVAC system
Not all air conditioners are created equal. In fact, all units are assigned a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio rating (SEER rating). The higher the SEER, the more energy efficient your AC system is, affecting your bills to usage ratio. Can’t find your SEER rating? See how to calculate your unit’s SEER rating according to the Air-Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration Institute. An older system, say over 8 years old, may be in need of an upgrade in order to ensure that your AC system is efficient.
2. Schedule Yearly AC Maintenance
Like most things, a properly maintained AC system can significantly increase its life and efficiency. We recommend scheduling bi-annual AC maintenance to ensure that your saving energy wherever possible. An AC maintenance appointment through Heart Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric means a thorough tune-up of your unit and system, from filters to the coils. We are experienced in maintenance on all types, makes, and models of cooling equipment. Give us a call to request an appointment.
3. Inspect/Increase Your Insulation
Your home’s insulation can make a huge impact on your AC system’s efficiency. You may be shocked to find leaks and thin insulation in parts of your home you’d never expect. Our friends at Xcel Energy offer the Home Energy Squad Plus energy audit. This will pinpoint the areas where air may be leaking in and/or out of your home. Taking care of these commonly overlooked insulation weaknesses can go a long way in making your home more energy efficient during the summer.
4. Use Landscaping to Your Advantage
Let’s not forget about nature’s HVAC system: trees! Trees and other greenery offer valuable shade for your home during the hottest Denver summer months. This can naturally lower indoor temperatures, allowing you to go more days without even having to run your ac. As an added bonus, you’ll be elevating the natural landscape of your yard!
5. Eco-Friendliness
Increasing the energy efficiency of your HVAC system by default makes your home more eco-friendly. By advocating less use of the system, increasing the SEER rating, and fixing leaks, you continue to use less energy, saving the earth some. Older air conditioners also use a type of Freon called R-22, a phased out solution that causes severe ozone damage. Upgrading to a new AC unit will reduce that strain on the ozone layer without R-22.
Contact Heart Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric to Prepare Your AC System for Summer.
If you are seeking preventative maintenance, you will want to hire a professional who truly understands Colorado summers and the extremes that make proper AC system care essential to Denver metro residents.
For optimal results, hire a Denver HVAC team to keep your systems running smoothly. Heart Heating & Cooling is the best choice for regular AC maintenance, repair, and any AC emergency you may experience.
Our goal is to provide the Denver metro area with excellent service and the best information available to save you money and help you live comfortably. Contact us today to schedule your regular HVAC service call.
