Summertime Preparation Starts with an AC Tune Up

AC Tune Up Maintenance For Summer Heat

Doing your part, you have an AC Tune Up regularly and change the air filter on schedule. Summer begins soon and the temps have already begun to climb. Expect your air conditioner to be put through its paces, keeping your family comfortable during the south Texas heat and humidity.

If you maintain the system well and your air conditioner still struggles to keep your home comfortable, give Northwind a call and ask about a whole-home energy audit.

An energy audit is a series of inspections and tests to determine how your home loses energy. The audit can determine which problems are causing the most energy loss and which solutions will result in the greatest energy gains.

Results will vary, but homeowners commonly save 5 to 30% on home heating and cooling costs. The energy audit will leave you with a comprehensive home energy report with a list of energy upgrades that are right for your home.

The audit begins outdoors. The goal is to ensure your home’s building envelope is also an energy blanket that keeps inside air inside and outside air outside. Every opening, large and small will be inspected for gaps.

• Windows and doors will garner a lot of attention. Glass is a poor insulator, but gaps between and around the frames are also problems. Weatherproofing will be examined for wear and decay.
• Wall penetrations for electrical or plumbing connections will be examined.
• Wall joints, such as building additions, will be inspected

The AC Tune Up audit technician will also consider energy efficiency in the attic.

• Adequate insulation is essential for efficient heating and cooling. The insulation also needs to be installed evenly, with no gaps or shortages.
• Again, electrical and plumbing penetrations will need to be sealed to avoid energy movement.
• Exhaust fans can be a significant source of heat loss.
• The attic opening should also be weatherproofed since it is a “door” to the “outside.”

A complete energy AC Tune Up audit will also examine appliances and lighting.

• Appliances, such as refrigerators, ranges, washers, and dryers will be examined.
• Incandescent household lighting produces more heat than light, a tremendous waste of energy on a small scale.
• The age of the hot water heater will give a good indication of its efficiency. Uninsulated water lines also become a part of the audit.

Of course, the age and efficiency of the HVAC system will be thoroughly examined and inspected. Several factors will be considered:

• Every generation of HVAC system employs improved technology; it doesn’t take long (about 10 years or so) for a system to fall behind in energy efficiency. Both the furnace and air conditioner components will be tested and compared to the potential of new components.
• The ductwork will be examined for loose and leaky joints, and gaps that may have developed since installation.

The last and most involved procedure is called a “blower test.” It involves specialized equipment and training but gives definitive results.

• All of the windows and doors are securely closed except for one door. A frame will be set in the doorway with a large, high-volume fan that removes air from the house.
• Since the fan depressurizes the house, the outside air will rush into every available crack, gap, and void.
• Since the outside air will have a different air temperature than inside air, the cracks, gaps, and voids will light up with an infrared camera. Closing these gaps will be a key solution to preventing energy loss.

The energy audit will result in a comprehensive report that estimates how much energy is lost through the various problem areas. It will also analyze repair/replacement costs and give a detailed cost analysis for each solution. As the homeowner, you can make informed decisions about energy upgrades and understand how quickly the solutions will be paid for by cost savings.

Need help with your AC Tune Up Checklist?

Northwind Air Conditioning and Heat can help with AC Tune Up with regularly scheduled HVAC maintenance. Contact us and get the answers you need.