The days are growing longer, and the temps are getting warmer. You’re thinking about summer barbecues and swimming lessons, but you should also be thinking about your HVAC system.
Our Midwest winters with freezing temperatures and summers that reach 80 degrees are hard on your home’s heating and cooling system.
A little preparation now is the difference between a smooth seasonal transition and an unexpected breakdown when you need your system most.
Why Chicagoland Homes Need Extra Attention
Chicagoland homes present a unique challenge.
Much of the region’s housing stock was built before central air conditioning was standard, so ductwork was often designed for heating rather than cooling.
Add decades of temperature extremes to the equation, and it’s easy to see why a quick seasonal check is essential for Chicagoland homes.
High-Low Process
There’s one simple concept to remember when adjusting from winter to summer: warm air rises and cooler air sinks.
In your multi-story Chicagoland home this winter, nature saw to it that warm air rose from your furnace to the second floor.
Little force was necessary to keep your upstairs bedrooms warm and restful.
Now, looking ahead, you’ll want to force cooler air to rise to keep the upper floor at a comfortable temperature during Chicago’s hot and humid summer months.
5 Ways to Get Your Home Ready for Summer
There’s a fast and easy five-step approach for an efficient and cost-effective seasonal re-acclimation in your home:
Air Vents
Open the vents in rooms on the higher levels and close those in your basement and on lower floors.
Since warm air rose in the wintertime, you likely closed the upstairs vents last autumn.
Now, it’s time to do the opposite. Your air conditioner will efficiently force cool air upward with the upper-floor vents open.
Change Your Furnace Filters
This is an especially important and inexpensive way to ensure your family is breathing clean air.
Spring is the ideal time to replace furnace filters. You’ll be amazed by how much dirt and dust they collect over the winter months.
Remember to change the filter on your air cleaner and dehumidifier as well.
Testing and Cleaning
Over the winter, your central air conditioning unit has been in a dormant state. Spring is the perfect time to test your unit before you actually need it.
Simply set your thermostat to the lowest possible temperature and switch to cool. This should start your unit, and you’ll begin to feel cool air coming through the vents.
If not, you’ll have time for the unit to be repaired before temperatures and humidity start to rise.
Even if it’s been covered, your a/c unit likely needs a thorough cleaning after winter has passed. Remove debris, check hoses, tighten connections, and eliminate possible pest infestation to achieve optimal utilization.
Duct Debris
If dust is coming through the vents as you are testing your air conditioning, this means your ducts need to be cleaned.
Continuous Fan
Older, two-story homes were generally not built for air conditioning. The ductwork is too limited to deliver cool air to the upper level effectively.
To help create a comfortable environment on the upper level, set your thermostat to run the fan continuously. This gives the upstairs a constant flow of cool air when you need it most.
What to Watch Out For
When you fire up your AC for the first time, don’t just walk away. Give the system 10–15 minutes and watch out for these red flags:
- Warm or barely cool air is coming through the vents after the system has been running
- Unusual sounds, such as grinding, squealing, or banging, that weren’t there last season
- Ice forming on the outdoor unit or refrigerant lines
- A musty or burning smell coming from the vents
- The system is cycling on and off repeatedly without reaching your set temperature
Any of these signs warrants a call to Flader Plumbing and Heating to help get your HVAC sorted out.
How Flader’s 5-Star Maintenance Program Keeps Your HVAC System Running
Flader’s 5-Star Maintenance Plan is designed for homeowners who want to stay ahead of problems rather than react to them. Members receive:
- Priority service that moves you to the front of the line, with no overtime charges, even on nights and weekends
- Seasonal HVAC inspections, where a certified technician evaluates your system before each heating and cooling season
- Discounts on repairs and parts, with preferred pricing on any additional work needed
Also included is our A/C Tune-Up to protect your system so it works when you need it most.
Does Your HVAC System Need a Spring Tune-Up? Call Flader Plumbing and Heating Today.
Is your HVAC system struggling right now? Do you want to ensure everything is running right before the summertime heat hits?
Call Flader Plumbing and Heating for an HVAC tune-up today!
