Get Your Home Ready for a 4th of July BBQ With These HVAC Tips

Independence Day is a special day for all Americans. Liberty is important to us, so we take advantage of the chance to celebrate our unparalleled freedom by spending the day outdoors with friends and families.

Look in any American backyard, and you’ll probably find someone standing in front of the grill. The yard will be full of kids playing lawn games or running around with sparklers in their hands. When the sun goes down, towns all across the country fill the night sky with magnificent firework displays.

You’ll probably need to take a few breaks throughout the day to cool down so you can keep enjoying the celebrations until well after sundown. In this article, we’ll share some ways to stay cool and some air conditioning tips to keep your house comfortable as well.

Drink Plenty of Water

Human bodies are about 60% water, so it’s imperative that you stay hydrated to feel well. If you drink plenty of water, your skin stays moist and young-looking, your brain functions better, your mood improves, and your joints move more smoothly.

Sweating is your body’s way of cooling itself on a hot day or when you’re active. If you haven’t had enough water, your body won’t be able to sweat as much, so you won’t be able to cool down as quickly.

In the summertime, you sweat more anyway, so it’s even more essential that you stay hydrated on a hot day like the 4th of July. Proper hydration can also save money on your energy bill because you won’t need to run your AC as much to cool you down.

If you’re trying to lose weight, you should drink a tall glass of water before going to your 4th of July barbeque. Being hydrated increases your feelings of satiety, so you’re less likely to overindulge at the cookout.

Routinely Change Your Air Filter

Clean air is good for your health, and changing your HVAC air filter is a smart way to keep the air inside your home cleaner. Opening your windows brings in fresh, clean air, but that’s the last thing you want to do when it’s hot outside.

When you can’t air out your house, it’s essential that you make sure your air filter is fresh. You might notice that smoke from your grill or backyard bonfires gets into your house.

Let it be a reminder to check your air filter and change it if it’s getting dirty. Each home will go through air filters at a different rate, so it’s best to create a habit of checking on your filter each month rather than to rely on an arbitrary time frame for changing your filter.

Large homes cycle much more air through the HVAC system than small homes, so they’ll need new filters more often for better air quality. Also, houses with many pets, little children, or people with allergies will need to change their filters more often. Keeping your filter fresh can also lower your energy costs because it helps your HVAC run more efficiently.

HVAC Maintenance Before Your BBQ

A lot of planning goes into a large backyard barbeque. You have to get your house clean, plan the menu, buy the food and drinks, set out games to play, and then actually prepare the food.

The last thing you need to worry about is your air conditioner going out when you have a house full of guests. You can do some preventative maintenance yourself, like cleaning the outdoor unit, but if you’re feeling overwhelmed, schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician.

A professional can clean the exterior unit for you, as well as the interior evaporator drain. If you have a leak and your refrigerant is low, a professional can fix the leak and top off your coolant. You’ll probably find that your AC is working better than ever after a little maintenance.

Instead of fretting over your air filter and your refrigerant levels, schedule an appointment for preventative maintenance today. This 4th of July, focus your energy on your family and on celebrating our freedom and let us take care of the rest.