When it comes to handling the hot summer months, you need to have a reliable air conditioner by your side. While most new homes come along with a brand new air conditioning system, most older homes don't.

The summer heat and humidity can leave you hot and uncomfortable, even in your home. How can you keep your home comfortable this summer? Here's a checklist to help get your HVAC system ready.

A large number of people have high electric bills because their air conditioners aren't running at optimal levels. In addition, many people have high electric bills from not using their air conditioner efficiently. Poor insulation, a lack of regular maintenance and other factors can create issues with air conditioning costs.

Your HVAC system is your lifesaver when it comes to those hot summer months. It's what keeps your family cool and comfortable inside your home. While you may not think about it until you have a problem, maintenance is a necessary factor for your HVAC unit.

We might not give the heating and cooling system in our home much thought until it breaks down. It’s no fun when the furnace stops working during the coldest winter day or the air conditioner quits during a heatwave.

When it comes to your HVAC system, it needs both a seasonal tune-up and preventative maintenance. Understanding the difference between these two services can help to ensure that your system maintenance is done correctly. For the most part, preventative maintenance is comprised of the tasks that you can do yourself while seasonal tune-ups should be performed by a professional. Performing Preventative Maintenance For the most part, preventative maintenance includes tasks that you should be doing with your HVAC on a regular basis. This process essentially has you inspecting system components, replacing filters, and lubricating parts. A few examples of preventative maintenance tasks for the homeowner include:   ●      Checking For Oil Leaks ●      Lubricating Motors And Bearings ●      Replacing Filters ●      Inspecting The Thermostat ●      Testing The Safety Controls ●      Inspecting The Compressor It's a good rule of thumb to perform these maintenance tasks every two to three months. Depending on various factors, such as the number of pets you have, you may find that you'll need to perform some of these tasks more often. For example, filter changes are going to be required more often for homeowners with lots of pets and children. Scheduling Seasonal Tune-Ups Apart from doing your normal home HVAC maintenance, you'll want to schedule yourself a seasonal tune-up. This is when a professional comes out to your home to inspect, clean, and assess your entire HVAC system. It's not recommended to do this type of tune-up yourself if you're not experienced in the HVAC industry. Here are some of the common tasks that your HVAC professional will perform during your seasonal tune-up: