The beginning of spring means it’s time for spring cleaning! When making your list of cleaning tasks, don’t forget to add HVAC maintenance and cleaning. Spring is the perfect time to prepare your system for the changing season and function at its best this summer.
Use these simple spring cleaning HVAC tips from Champion Home Services to get your system ready for our south Texas summer heat!
Change Or Clean HVAC Filter
Your HVAC filter should be changed or cleaned at least once every 90 days, or when the season changes. Allergy sufferers and pet owners should change filters more frequently to ensure their effectiveness.
Maintaining a regular filter routine helps improve your home’s air quality, keeps your home clean and can make your air conditioning unit up to five percent more efficient, which saves you money.
Clean Supply Vents
The air supply vents attract dust easily, especially if the filters are not changed regularly. Cleaning them prevents extra dust from blowing throughout your home when you start using the AC more intensely.
First, check that each register in your house is open and allows air to pass freely through it. Do not allow rugs, curtains or furniture to block the vents.
Remove each vent cover (including bathroom fans), wash them with soapy water and allow them to air dry. Before replacing the grills, use your vacuum wand attachment and vacuum the reachable area inside each duct. This removes any dust and pet hair that has accumulated, ensuring it is not recirculated in your home.
Turn Fans On
Ceiling fans improve the air quality in your home by circulating fresh air. Turn them on to help clear out contaminants in stagnant air before starting your air conditioner again.
Thermostat Update
If you have not changed the batteries in your thermostat recently, now is a good time to do so. They typically last about a year, so keeping up with them prevents your thermostat from turning off suddenly, which prevents your AC unit from running.
Upgrading to an eco-friendly programmable thermostat is a great investment for your home if you do not already have one. It helps save energy by keeping your unit from running when your home doesn’t need the extra cooling, like when you are at work. You set it to your ideal temperature and it ensures your home is cooled for you when you need it most.
Clean HVAC And Condenser Units
Cleaning the areas in and around your unit(s) helps ensure it operates safely and properly. Before cleaning any indoor and/or outdoor part of your HVAC unit, be sure to turn it off.
The condensate drain pan is a metal or plastic tray that collects moisture produced by the air conditioner coil in the unit. The hose connecting to the tray drains water from it, and should not leak or be positioned incorrectly. Confirming that the water collected in the pan drains ensures that it will not overflow, which can damage the unit and your home.
Any dust and dirt collected on electronics, lights and refrigerator coils can make the motor work harder. It will start to consume more energy, so clean them off.
Grime, leaves, dirt and debris often build up around the condenser unit during winter. Neglecting to clean these items impacts your unit’s efficiency. And clearing out any bushes, weeds and other plants growing within one to two feet of the unit helps maximize your system’s airflow and performance.
The thin, comb-like fins on the outside of your unit also collect dirt. Carefully vacuuming them with a brush attachment is an easy way to clean AC fins. While you do this, look to see if any external panels or foam insulation look damaged or misaligned. External damages are usually cosmetic, but mention them to your HVAC technician for repairs before you start the unit up again for the summer.
Test System
After going through each item on this spring HVAC checklist, turn the system on. Allow it to run for several minutes to confirm that it is circulating and cooling air properly. If it does not seem to be working correctly, turn the system off and call our team for a system tune-up.
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
The best way to lengthen the life of your unit and prevent up to 80% of repairs and unwanted replacements is to schedule regular HVAC maintenance each season. Our licensed professionals at Champion Home Services have over 40 years of experience providing unparalleled heating and AC services in the San Antonio area.
Call us today to learn about our 17-point AC tune-ups, so we can keep your home cool this summer!
