How do I prepare my HVAC for spring
The first day of spring has already come and gone, which means — whether or not the temperature reflects it at the moment — now is the time to prepare your home’s HVAC system to handle warm, spring-time weather.
Being proactive and prepping your HVAC for spring will ensure that the system is cleaned and restored from working through winter, and that it starts on the right foot before summer heats up and the A/C is really put to use. This also helps uncover any small issues or replacements that need to be made before they have the chance to balloon into problems that interrupt the air flow in your home. And best of all, this helps you keep your HVAC system running more efficiently, and for longer! So what can you as a homeowner do to prepare your HVAC for spring?
Clean and Replace the HVAC System’s Air Filters
The HVAC air filter is one of the most important pieces of the entire system, and one of the easiest chores to overlook. As the air moves through the system, the filter captures dust and debris before it can spread throughout the vents in your home. A clean filter also helps your HVAC system run smoothly without becoming clogged or overheating. Inspect filters every 30–90 days — closer to 30 if the system is running more often — to see if the filter needs to be cleaned or replaced, and you will keep supporting a healthy HVAC system for your home.
Clean Debris from the Outdoor Condenser Unit
Over time — and particularly after heavy rains — branches, leaves, and other debris catches and accumulates on and around your outdoor A/C unit. It may seem like one of those task that can wait until tomorrow, but make sure tomorrow isn’t continually put off.
You’ll want to stay on top of removing the items on and around the A/C, as they block proper airflow into the outdoor condenser unit, forcing it to work harder than it needs to and possibly breaking parts internally from the increased stress. This can also cause the unit to overheat, or burn out the blower motor, causing the unit to stop producing cooling air to the home, and costing a significant amount in repairs.
Check and Clean the Indoor Vents
Keeping up the cleaning kick, remember to keep your vents clean and free of debris. This helps the A/C run without getting blocked by built up dust and debris, or blowing pollen, allergens, and other air-borne pollutants around the house.
If the A/C is trying to circulate air while the vents are still dusty, the system can become clogged and overworked, working harder to pull in enough air to circulate back out throughout your house. Additionally, if the ducts become internally clogged with dust, the unit can start overheating. Instead, keep vents clean will to help the A/C run smoothly and improve the indoor air quality around your home.
Consider a New or Programmable Thermostat
Upgrading your thermostat looks cool, and helps a home stay cool. Having an up-to-date thermostat, particularly one that is programmable, helps the entire A/C system run more efficiently.
Newer models are able to learn your heating and cooling habits and patterns, and adjust the temperature automatically to meet your needs at a specific time of day. So for example, if you like to stay cool during the day and let the air kick off at night, the thermostat will learn to set itself to 72 degree at 8 AM every morning, then promptly reset to 75 degrees at night and switch over to the fan. This allows the system to run more balanced, as well as keeping your home at the ideal preferred temperature. It also saves money on utility bills, as the system learns the best times to adjust temperature settings to maximize on energy savings.
Get an Annual Inspection
It’s always a good idea to get maintenance checks and annual inspections out of the way early in the season. Scheduling annual maintenance early on will help catch any issues before they have a chance to persist and cause real harm. Considering that the A/C will run more consistently during the warm weather of summer and early fall, it’s necessary to have a maintenance check beforehand to keep the system prepared, so it can perform during these critical times.
This is also the time to bring up any odd sounds, smells, or sights that come up after listening and observing the first A/C cycle of the season, as this helps the technician pinpoint potential areas of interest that need closer examination.
Prepping your HVAC system for spring means being prepared for the rest of the seasonal changes to come, and knocking out an annual inspection clears up your time later on to enjoy the spring weather and activities while its here.
If you’re looking for licensed professionals to tackle your spring HVAC inspection, or if you have any A/C or HVAC questions the need answers, reach out to Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling. The experts at Duane Blanton have over 30 years of experience and knowledge, and come prepared to answer any and every homeowner question, providing solutions for all of your HVAC needs. Give the experts at Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling a call today, at (815) 781-2567, or schedule easily from a web or mobile browser, when it’s most convenient, using Duane Blanton’s online scheduling portal.
Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling is proud to be a Bryant Factory Authorized Dealer, offering top-quality heating and cooling options to fit the specific needs of Duane Blanton customers. The quality, comfort, and efficiency of Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems’ products naturally aligns with Duane Blanton’s drive to provide an exceptional customer service experience. Ask a Duane Blanton Plumbing, Sewer, Heating, and Cooling expert today about the advantages of upgrading to a new Bryant Heating & Cooling system for your home!
