HVAC Myrtle Beach: Preparing For Summer

The weather is getting warmer and the city of Myrtle Beach is getting busier each and every day. That only means one thing…summer is almost here! Trips to the beach, barbecues, lounging by the pool and other activites are so close we can taste it. But the warmer weather could bring out potential issues with your HVAC unit. That's why it's important to follow our summer HVAC Myrtle Beach "checklist" below so that you can stay cool all summer long and save some money on your electric bill.

Clean Your Condenser Coils

The condenser coils located in your system's outdoor unit can become clogged with dust, leaves, grass, weeds and other outdoor particles floating around in the air over time. All of this really starts to add up and causes your HVAC unit to become less efficient. The performance drops and since it is the coil's job to transfer heat from the inside. Dirty coils can decrease the performance of your unit by up to 30%! To clean these coils, use a soft bristled brush, garden hose or pressure washer. We also recommend trimming low hanging branches or bushes around your outside unit. If you do not feel comfortable doing this, please give an HVAC professional like Beach Air a call.

Change Your Filters

We cannot stress this enough. Changing your air filters on a monthly basis is vital to keep your unit performing at it's best. When a filter gets clogged with dirt, it causes a blockage which leads to a system pressure drop which compromises your unit's airflow. The system is then forced to work harder to reach your settings on the thermostat, which causes the internal parts to wear out faster and use up more energy to cool your home. This causes a big spike in your electric bill, which nobody likes. Add this task to your list of things to do on the first of every month to make sure you keep up with it.

Consider A Service Agreement

If you prefer to let a professional like Beach Air perform this type of maintenance on your home, perhaps you should consider purchasing a service agreement. Twice per year, a representative from Beach Air will come to your home to perform the following:

• Check operation of thermostat in heat & cool modes
• Check operation of zone controls
• Replace or wash standard air filters
• Check & note return air temperature
• Check & note supply air temperature
• Check & note outside air temperature
• Check & tighten all electrical connections at indoor unit & disconnect
• Check & note voltage at indoor unit
• Check operation of indoor blower & note amp draw
• Check electric heat overloads & high limit safeties
• Check cleanliness of indoor evaporator coil
• Check cleanliness of indoor blower wheel
• Check condition of all accessible duct work & note any leaks of missing insulation
• Check operation of all zone dampers
• Check & clean primary drain pan
• Check secondary drain pan for water & rust
• Check & clean primary drain line with shop vac
• Check & tighten all electrical connections at outdoor unit & disconnect
• Check & note voltage at outdoor unit
• Check operation of outdoor fan & note amp draw
• Check operation of compressor & note amp draw
• Check output of run capacitor
• Check condition of main contactor
• Check operation of defrost cycle
• Clean outdoor coil, use coil cleaner if needed
• Check refrigerant charge & note high & low side pressures

Before the blistering heat of the summer months arrives, make sure that your HVAC unit is ready to take on the workload. The professional technicians at Beach Air of Myrtle Beach are more than willing to help in any way possible. Please give us a call at 843.796.3798 if you need assistance.