You blocked off a weekend, rolled up your sleeves, and now you’re ready to apply a little elbow grease and get to the spring cleaning. The garage is on the list, as well as the attic, the basement, the bathroom…but don’t forget about your HVAC system! Making sure everything is clean and in working order can help keep you as comfy as possible during the upcoming summer heat. Here are seven simple ways to make sure your HVAC is up to snuff for the next season:
1. Do a Trial Run
You’ve been using your heater all winter long, but it’s probably been a while since you’ve used your air conditioner. While the weather is still mild, turn your A/C on for a few hours, and really pay attention. Do you hear any weird noises? Do you notice an unusual smell? Do you feel hot air coming out of the vents, instead of cold? These are all warning signs that it may be time to call a professional. And you’ll be glad you got it taken care of before the 90 degree days hit!
2. Clear the Debris
HVAC systems typically have outdoor components, like the air conditioner condenser. The condenser has a really important role, because that’s what releases the hot air from your home. If it’s obstructed in any way, it can’t do its job well and could end up leading to serious (and expensive) issues. It’s important to make sure your outdoor components are clear of leaves, twigs, and other detritus, especially after the mayhem of winter. (And while you’re at it, make sure your indoor components are clear, as well. You never want to crowd your unit.)
3. Change Your HVAC Filters
A good rule-of-thumb is to change your 1-2″ filters every 30-60 days and your 3-5″ filters every 9-12 months. But that’s a pretty big range—how do you know when it’s time to change YOUR filter? Do you have hairy pets? Do you have an older unit? Do you live in a particularly dusty part of town? All of these factors, and more, influence how often you should change your filter (we even wrote an article all about it). But it’s important to stay on top of it, because a dirty filter can trigger allergies and respiratory problems, and it might even raise your utility bill. Pull out your filter and give it a once-over—if it looks dusty or dirty, or if it’s starting to disintegrate, it’s definitely time to swap it out for a new one.
4. Check Your Thermostat
We can’t tell you how often we’ve been called to fix someone’s air conditioner or furnace, but it turned out to be a broken thermostat, instead. The good news is, it’s fairly easy to test to see which issue it is. If you have a smart thermostat, you should be able to run a system test. If you have a standard thermostat, have someone stand near the HVAC unit and someone else near the thermostat. Turn the thermostat from off to heat and slowly increase the temperature. Both the unit and the thermostat should make a noise…whichever one doesn’t is the culprit. If you have a standard thermostat, remove the cover and gently clean out any dust. And don’t forget to check the batteries! If none of the above helps, it’s time to give us a call.
5. Clean Your Ducts
You don’t need to clean your air ducts every spring (we wrote an article about this, too). But if it’s been a few years, it might be time to take a look. According to The EPA, your air ducts can develop mold, contain dead rodents, and gather a lot of dust. Then your HVAC system ends up piping all that nastiness straight into your home. If it’s been 3-5 years since you last cleaned your ducts, call a professional, and they’ll get you squared away.
6. Check the Electrical
The electrical components for your HVAC system are usually out of sight and out of mind, but they still need to be maintained. Are all the wires securely connected? Are they starting to fray? And how’s your compressor looking? Electrical issues can result in a less efficient system or complete system failure, and it could even create a dangerous situation. If you notice any of the above issues, or anything else a bit dodgy, have a certified technician come out and take a look (and definitely do NOT touch any faulty-looking wires, unless you’re an experienced electrician).
7. Do a Little Admin
You can start by reviewing your energy bills from the last two years. Are there any unexplained spikes in usage? That could point to an underlying issue. And now, think about your system’s maintenance. Are you on a regular schedule for your HVAC clean and checks? Is that schedule in your calendar? Pro Tip: if you enroll in one of our Platinum Maintenance Plans, we’ll reach out to you when it’s time for regular maintenance, so you don’t even have to think about it. You’ll also get priority scheduling and all sorts of discounts.
We hate that we had to add so much to your spring cleaning list, but this stuff is pretty important. So, you can either follow this checklist, or give us a call and we’ll do it for you.
Happy spring, from Appel!