Now that warm weather is here, it’s time to perform HVAC service to ensure the furnace is ready for its offseason and the AC is prepared to cool your home. From simple DIY tasks to bringing in the professionals for a tuneup, it’s easy to ensure you’ll get maximum performance from your home comfort system year-round. 

How to Prepare Your HVAC System for Summer

1. Change the Air Filter

The HVAC air filter should be replaced—or cleaned if you have a permanent one—every three months to prevent clogs that can lower energy efficiency. However, if someone in your household has a respiratory issue like asthma or allergies, swap out the filter once a month to ensure a higher level of indoor air quality. This simple task removes spring contaminants like pollen and will help ease their symptoms.

2. Clean the Ducts

Furnace and AC ductwork often harbor contaminants like pet fur, hair, dander, and allergens that can negatively impact air quality in the home. If enough buildup occurs, the system may have to work harder to deliver air throughout the ducts. Schedule HVAC service to clean out these channels and prevent mold growth, which may further worsen indoor air quality.

3. Minimize the Landscaping 

If your AC features an outdoor compressor unit, be mindful of the area while installing landscaping. As spring gets into full swing, regularly remove sticks, pine straw, and leaves from the surrounding space to prevent them from getting lodged in the cooling system.

Install landscaping, such as flowers and plants, at least 3 feet from the unit so it won’t interfere. Prevent moisture issues that may short out the electrical components by placing water features on the other side of the yard. If you plan to plant larger, further-reaching greenery like shrubs, trim them back to at least 3 feet from the unit to play it safe.

4. Get an Inspection

Consider scheduling biannual HVAC preventive maintenance to catch potential repairs before they become uncomfortable problems. A technician will assess the furnace to ensure it’s ready to remain dormant until fall after making any necessary fixes. They’ll also check that the AC system has ample refrigerant, is clean and ready, and hasn’t sustained winter ice damage. 

If you need seasonal HVAC service, contact Living Comfort HVAC in Butler County, OH. The licensed, bonded, and insured team has over 35 years of industry experience and is ready to handle maintenance and repairs for a wide range of system models. Call the Middletown-area HVAC experts at (513) 833-3876 or visit the website for information on their services, including 24/7 emergency calls, HVAC replacement, and energy-efficiency improvements.