Your Home 
summer checklist

This summer, boost the efficiency of your air quality systems with this easy checklist.

Air Conditioning and Ventilation

  • Clean or change air filters every 3 months.
  • Inspect air ducts for leaks and make sure they have adequate insulation.
  • Be sure your evaporator coil, drip pan, and the trap are clean.
  • If you have an outside central air condenser, make sure snow and ice haven’t damaged the coil or fans.
  • Clean the outside air intake screen and make sure there is no standing water on the roof or ground at the intake location.
  • Use electric fans on moderately hot days.
  • Place window air conditioners where room air can circulate freely.

 

Dehumidifiers and Humidifiers

  • Make sure dehumidifier coils are clean, refrigerant is charged correctly, and the unit is draining properly.
  • Before a humidifier is used, clean and sanitize all surfaces that water touches. After use, clean out humidifiers for safe storage so that they won't harbor dangerous molds. Check your owner's manual for the recommended cleaning procedures.
     

Building

  • Look for roofing damage caused by winter ice and snow (look in the attic for leaks).
    Inspect masonry for cracks.
  • Check the siding for damage or deterioration and make repairs to prevent water intrusion.
  • Be sure the window glazing, caulking, weather stripping, and/or seals are in good shape.

 
 

did you know? 

Open windows or vents don't usually provide enough ventilation to warm a crawl space or basement adequately to prevent condensation. They can actually introduce warm moist air, which condenses on the cooler wall surfaces and ground. The best solution is to close windows and stop air from leaking into the crawl space. To be sure that moisture is not evaporating from the soil, cover the soil with heavy plastic. Overlap the plastic and weight it down or seal it at the joints and around the edges. Operate a dehumidifier to lower the moisture level in the basement or crawl space if condensation or dampness is still occurring.