Buying a new home in the DFW Metroplex is expensive. The last thing you want to do after finally closing, moving in, and unpacking is having to worry about the cost and maintenance of your HVAC system. Here are 5 Dallas & Plano HVAC tips for the summer to prepare your home in order to save you time and money.
Call Us 24/7 (469) 672-5403Check your HVAC filter
When the filter has not been changed in awhile and is dirty the house will not cool like it is supposed to. This is the most common problem we see with a no-cool call.The easiest way you can prevent costly Dallas air conditioning repairs on your HVAC system is by checking your filter and changing/cleaning it as needed. Build-up from dust and dirt on the filter can cause your unit to work harder than it needs to, which could potentially lead to breakdowns and repairs.
This week is the perfect time to check your filter before temperatures rise for the summer!
Some tell-tale signs you may need to check you filter are:
- You don’t remember the last time you checked it (if you moved in recently, you might not have checked it at all yet). In the summer, it is recommended to check your filter every 90 days for a standard suburban home. However, if you have pets, you should consider changing your filter every 60 days to prevent allergens from building up.
- You notice a spike in energy bills. A built-up HVAC filter will lower the efficiency of your system, leading to overuse and a high energy bill. While it might seem normal for your energy bills to rise in the summer, if a month seems abnormally high, it would be a good idea to check the filter.
- You find more dust near air vents than anywhere else in the house. A system with a filthy filter will be pushing dust, dirt, and allergens back into your house, covering surrounding areas in debris.
Check Air Ducts and Vents
It is just as important as checking your filter as it is to check ducts and vents as well. If you notice that one room in the house is hotter than the others, this may be a sign that your system needs duct cleaning in Dallas.
If you have recently completed some remodeling or done major work inside your home, it is possible some debris has clogged your air ducts and vents. This could be a major factor in poor air flow and air quality.
Prevent HVAC breakdowns from overuse
The most common issue with HVAC systems are breakdowns from overuse. If you are a new homeowner, here are some life hacks you could implement to save your energy costs for years to come.
- Install cooling window coverings: It’s pretty common to adorn your windows with some decorative curtains and blinds for privacy, but you take it a step further with black-out vinyl shades. Using effective window coverings can lower the temperature in your house by a few degrees for only the cost of installation. You could even do a combination of window shades and decorative drapes to match your home’s aesthetic.
- Plant shade trees: a perhaps more unconventional way of giving your house some protection from the hot summer sun is planting some fast-growing shade trees near the windows of your home.
- The first low maintenance option would be Hackberry trees. Not only are they beautiful, but they can withstand strong winds, survive in areas of only 14in to 60in of annual rainfall, and tolerate air pollution. Their beautiful leaves provide lots of shade and their hackberries can also be used as a natural pain remedy!
- Another option for shade trees is a Sun-Valley Maple. These trees provide amazing curb appeal to any home with its attractive oval growth shape. It also blooms stunning red flowers in the spring and the leaves turn bright red in the fall as well. This is a low maintenance tree that won’t produce seeds and is super easy to grow.
- Improve insulation: If you just moved into an older home, it might be wise to check the insulation of attics, basements, and around windows. This is where your home will lose most of its heat, so it’s best to make sure these areas are properly insulated.
- Upgrade you system according to the size of your home: A new AC installation in Dallas could make all the difference if you’re overusing your AC system because it’s simply too small for your home! Connect with your experts in AC service in Dallas to learn more or schedule your replacement.
Set Ceiling Fan to Counterclockwise Rotation
This might be the absolute easiest tip to keep your house cool this summer, but it is also most overlooked and forgotten about. The ceiling fans installed in your home should have two modes. There will be a winter setting and a summer setting. To keep your rooms cooler during the summer months, be sure all fans in your home are spinning counterclockwise. This will push the air down and create a cool breeze.
Schedule Routine Air Conditioning Tune Up in Dallas & Plano
The best way to save money on AC costs and prevent a failing HVAC system is by scheduling routine air conditioning maintenance in Dallas or Plano. A licensed technician can examine your problem areas for you and take the guesswork out of the equation (and the stress out of your summer).
Save on Plano & Dallas Air Conditioning with Cody & Sons
Right now you can join the MVP program with Cody and Sons for only $398 per year. That’s roughly $33 per month that could save you on inspection fees, installation costs, and more.
Congratulations, you just bought a new home! Take care of it correctly. Better yet, let Cody and Sons take care of it. For AC repair, maintenance, or even air conditioning installation in Dallas, TX or Plano, connect with us today!
Call Us 24/7 (469) 672-5403