Spring cleaning time is here! But before you start purging the attic, there are some more important items to attend to. Transitioning to the warm weather after working hard throughout a cold winter can be tough on your HVAC system. To avoid unexpected issues when the real heat arrives, HVAC maintenance is a must!
If your system is working correctly, you won’t be springing for emergency repairs or unreasonably high energy bills. With an efficient HVAC system, there’ll be no reason to sweat this summer! And by the time next winter rolls around, you’ll be nice and cozy warm without worry!
When you care for your system with routine maintanece, it can take care of you for longer. But what exactly does that all entail? Let’s break it down and go over exactly how we make sure your HVAC can serve you well all summer long! We’ve created a spring checklist so you can get a jump start on your system’s care this season.
1. Check Key Components
First and foremost, you need to make sure all the key components are working correctly. You’ll want to inspect and clean fan blades, make sure refrigerant is blowing cold air, and tighten electrical connections. If you notice any leaks or damaged parts, you’ll need to schedule a repair service you need before it becomes a bigger issue — or a complete break down. If this feels a bit overwhelming, contact a professional (like the awesome technicians at Madsen) to come out with an expert eye to make sure nothing gets missed. They can also handle more tricky tasks like lubricating blower fans and coils or inspecting motors and ductwork for tough-to-spot signs of damage.
2. Install an Air Purifier
If you’re sick of seasonal allergies, install an air purifier in your unit. This will go a long way in terms of putting pollen in its place. It’ll also handle mold and germs, improving your indoor air quality so you can breathe easy all season long.
3. Replace the Air Filters
Speaking of allergies, your air filters need to be changed regularly. Over time, they can become clogged with dust, dirt, and debris. And anything that’s stuck in an old filter certainly isn’t going to improve your air quality or air flow. Not to mention, clogged filters create an inefficient HVAC system, which creates conducive conditions for an alarmingly high energy bill. So swap in some fresh filters that’ll keep your air as clean as can be.
4. Check the Lines
Another essential item on your spring checklist is to inspect and clean the lines that run through your unit.
Inpsect refrigerant lines to make sure there’s no leaks or damage hindering its ability to dispense cold air and check the levels to make sure your system can cool your home as efficiently as possible.
You should also look for clogs in the drain line. All of that moisture that running your AC creates should be filtered out through this line — and if it’s not, it could be backed up. If it is, you can have a technician come clear it out so it doesn’t lead to problems later.
5. Clean Vents & Registers
Over the winter, all kinds of unnoticed things have probably slipped their way into your vents and registers — whether it’s your kids toys, your lost key, or all that dog hair. In any event, it’s time to unscrew the registers, wipe down the covers, and clean out the ducts! This will get your indoor air quality back in gear and maybe help you find that lost shed key you’ve been looking for — just in time to start working on your lawn again (yay!).
6. Level the Unit
While this one might seem like a given, you’d be surprised at how often HVAC systems aren’t sitting level — and how much this affects their ability to function! The effects are slow but sure. The concrete pad will tilt over time, straining the coolant lines and causing significant damage if left to its own devices. Make sure this isn’t the case with your system by double checking that it’s still sitting level!
7. Adjust the Thermostat
Once your system’s been inspected, move to the thermostat. You’ll want to make sure it’s working properly and calibrate it for optimal performance. That means setting it to cooling mode and running the air for 15 minutes when you first turn it on.
If you don’t have a thermostat or are looking to upgrade yours to a smart or programmable thermostat, now’s the time to do it! Having one of these thermostats installed and automatically setting the temperature for 8 hours every day saves you up to 10% on your energy bill. It’s worth the initial investment, keeping your home more comfortable throughout the day and eliminating the need to constantly make manual adjustments — saving you time, money, and effort.
8. Clean Up
The inner workings of your HVAC system are obviously important. What’s less obvious is how essential the outside of your unit can be! Over the fall and winter, all kinds of debris can accumulate around your unit easily — from leaves to dirt and debris. These can clog up your unit, get into the coils, and cause damage to the equipment!
Clear leaves from the unit’s top grill and trib nearby pushes to give your unit at least 2 feet of clearance on either side. If you’re not interested in getting your hands dirty, let a professional handle the cleanup and any resulting repairs for you! We hate to say it, but rodents and other pests love to nest in areas like this, so sometimes it’s best to leave it to the professionals.
Spring HVAC Maintenance with Madsen
Our expert technicians are here to ensure every task on this checklist gets accomplished! We’ll make sure your system is ready for the new season. You can rely on us for your routine maintenance appointments, as well as any repairs your system may need along the way.
We’ll keep you comfortable with the affordable and convenient preventative maintenance appointments your HVAC system needs. Contact us to schedule your spring appointment today!