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How to Maximize HVAC Efficiency During California’s Rainy Season

While the weather in Palm Desert, CA, can be beautifully sunny and warm, there is a rainy season from November through March. During this time, it’s essential to maximize the efficiency of your HVAC system for comfort as well as savings. This can include simple tasks you can complete yourself as well as things you should bring in a professional to deal with.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

At least once per year, you should have our team come to your residence to inspect your HVAC system. We check interior components, tighten electrical connections, and lubricate all the moving parts to ensure that everything is working properly. This is also a great opportunity for our professionals to spot minor issues that, if left unaddressed, could cause damage or even result in an expensive emergency breakdown. Before leaving, they will also recalibrate your system to ensure it runs as efficiently as possible to keep utility costs down.

This maintenance appointment also allows us to assess the overall condition of your HVAC system. We can let you know if it’s coming close to the time when you’ll need to replace it. This provides you with plenty of time to plan and budget for a new system.

Consider Thermostat Programming

If you have a programmable thermostat, consider the settings that you’re currently using. The recommended setting for the rainy season in Palm Desert is around 68 degrees Fahrenheit when you are at home and awake. You can program your thermostat to adjust the temperature to a more economical level when everyone is away at work or school and at night when you sleep. These simple adjustments help reduce energy consumption and lower utility costs without sacrificing comfort.

Humidity Concerns

Rainy weather can lead to increased moisture levels indoors, causing high relative humidity in your home. This excess humidity often makes your indoor environment feel stuffy and uncomfortable. Beyond discomfort, it can also encourage mold growth, which poses serious risks to respiratory health for everyone in the household. In addition, mold can damage floors, walls, and ceilings, leading to expensive repairs.

Consider installing a whole-home humidity control system to address humidity issues effectively during the rainy season. Our skilled professionals can seamlessly integrate this system with your existing forced-air setup. Once installed, it works by removing excess moisture from the air every time your heater runs, helping to maintain a comfortable and healthy indoor environment.

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

Your heater’s air filter prevents dirt and debris from entering and harming its internal components. It also plays a critical role in maintaining indoor air quality by capturing airborne contaminants that would otherwise recirculate through your living spaces. However, a clogged filter reduces airflow through your system. This situation can cause many issues, including making your heater work harder to maintain your desired temperature.

Experts recommend replacing your HVAC filter at least once every three months. Unfortunately, you may have to change yours out more often due to factors like how many people live in your house and if you have pets. Many homeowners inspect their filters once a month to ensure they know when it is time for a new one.

Keep Vents and Registers Open

You should maintain adequate airflow through your home by keeping vents and registers open. People often close their vents and registers in rooms that aren’t frequently used. However, this can lead to those rooms becoming humid during the rainy season, and the temperature may not feel comfortable. Allow air to flow through your home freely so that your HVAC system can do its job effectively as well as efficiently. Also, make sure you don’t have any furniture or other household items obstructing your vents and registers. Your vents need at least a foot of clearance around them for your HVAC system to run as it should.

Contact Your Local HVAC Professionals

At Breeze Air Conditioning, we have been serving the residents of Palm Desert, CA and the surrounding areas since 1980. We install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems. We can also help with all your indoor air quality needs by installing whole-home humidity control and air purification systems. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.