Springtime HVAC Maintenance Tips

HVAC Maintenance Tips for Springtime

Spring is finally here! There is new life all around, with grass and trees greening up and a songbird choir every morning. Spring cleaning is a springtime tradition—opening windows and letting in the fresh air, deep cleaning surfaces, and putting away winter clothing.

Your HVAC system could also use a spring cleaning HVAC Maintenance. According to the Department of Energy, maintaining your furnace and air conditioner will extend the life of your system and reduce repairs. It will function more efficiently and save money on every utility bill.

Do-It-Yourself Tasks

• Change Your Air Filter. For several months, the furnace has been pumping warm air throughout the house and with each cycle, the air filter has been removing airborne particles, such as dust, pet hair, and dander. Air filters should be changed at least every three months—more frequently under certain conditions.

Take a look! If a significant layer of dust has built upon the air filter, buy a new filter at the local hardware store or home improvement center. The old filter will slide out and the new filter will slide in. Set a calendar reminder to change the air filter regularly.

• Visually Inspect Your System. Over time items inside the house get shifted and occasionally furniture or accessories cover portions or all of floor supply vents or wall return vents. Identify the floor vents and make sure vents remain completely open to ensure adequate ventilation.Generally, wall vents high on the wall allow air to flow back to the system and are called return air vents; make sure they are not covered by drapes, tall furniture, or wall hangings.

A quick inspection of the outdoor air conditioning unit can prevent a major system failure. This unit requires a lot of airflow to cool the refrigerant gas that makes the system function.

When leaves and lawn debris from the fall and winter, or grass clippings from the spring and summer, restrict the air movement through the unit it can lead to overheating. Give it a gentle wash with a garden hose, but do not use a power washer. Do not allow nearby shrubs to grow within 2 feet of the unit.

• Program your thermostat. If your HVAC system has a programmable or smart thermostat, find the instruction manual (it is probably in the junk drawer), and program the air conditioner for your comfort. Determine the comfort level for your family, set the temperature, and trust the sensors to respond as you directed. Turning the controls up and down reduces the energy efficiency of the system.

Know When to Call a Professional

• Clean Your HVAC Ductwork. If you cannot remember the last time your ductwork was cleaned during an HVAC Maintenance call from an HVAC system technician, it is time to clean them. Over time, dust that has moved passed your filter can deposit inside the ducts. If your ductwork is subject to water infiltration or excess moisture, the dust and dander in your ducts can lead to the growth of mold.
• Schedule an HVAC Maintenance Visit. Technicians will:
  • Do a detailed inspection of your system, test electrical components, and clean dust that can lead to stress on the system.
  • Check refrigerant gas levels and replenish the gas as needed.
  • Visually inspect the visible ductwork for holes or gaps. Repairs can help your system function more efficiently and boost the comfort level in your home.

Need HVAC Maintenance for Springtime?

Call us when you are ready for your next HVAC Maintenance service call. Call Doctor Cool & Professor Heat today at 281-338-8751 or email Doctor Cool and let our professional HVAC Maintenance technicians get your AC system installed before Summer.