Get Your HVAC System Ready for Spring

Get Your HVAC System Ready for Spring

When the temperature rises this spring, your attention turns from heating your home to air conditioning. Prepare your HVAC system for the changing seasons to preserve home comfort and energy efficiency. To ensure your air conditioner is primed and ready for the next warmer months, heed the advice of the HVAC Repair Guide, Air Conditioning & Plumbing's HVAC technicians by following these steps for system transition.

Replace the air filter:

Dust, pollen, and other particles gradually accumulate in your HVAC filter, reducing airflow. As a result, your system has to work harder. Depending on usage and filter type, you should replace the filter every one to three months. Select the appropriate size and efficiency level for your system; the incorrect filter can significantly reduce efficiency by excessively restricting airflow. Ask your HVAC expert to show you how to install a filter if you need help deciding which one to buy or how to put it into your system during your next maintenance appointment.

Examine the External Air Conditioning unit:

The condensing unit, the outdoor section of your air conditioning system that releases hot air, is an essential component of the cooling process. Here's how to get your air conditioner ready for yet another summer:

Take off the AC cover: Before turning on the air conditioning for the first time this spring, remove any covers or boards that you may have used to protect your outdoor unit during the winter.

Tidy up the appliance: Leaves, dirt, and other debris may have gathered on your outside unit during the fall and winter. Use a garden hose to spray it to remove this buildup gently.

Remove any nearby debris: For best ventilation, the space surrounding your outdoor unit needs to be left uncluttered. Clear the area around the unit of leaves, pine needles, and other debris with a rake. Additionally, cut back any surrounding vegetation so that at least 12 to 24 inches remain accessible on all sides.

Verify that the apparatus is level. Your condensing unit may tilt due to the settlement or shifting of the concrete pad on which it is situated over time. Wedging shims beneath the unit's base will allow for adjustment and prevent early wear and inappropriate operation. Use a carpenter's level to check your work.

Thermostat adjustment

Your thermostat should be set to a comfortable yet energy-efficient temperature. During the summer, keeping your home around 78 degrees Fahrenheit is advised. If you're feeling hot, turn on the ceiling fan to cool the space without turning down the thermostat.

For energy savings, raise the temperature by 7 to 10 degrees while the house is unoccupied throughout the day. Install a programmable thermostat and preset it to return to a comfortable temperature before you arrive home to avoid sacrificing comfort. This method can save you up to 10% on your cooling costs.

Examine and tidy your air registers.

Dust, pet hair, and other debris can gather and impede airflow on supply and return registers. Use your vacuum cleaner's brush attachment to remove this accumulation. Next, confirm that drapes, rugs, or furniture do not block your vents.

Contrary to widespread assumption, shutting vents in rarely used rooms does not result in energy savings; instead, it throws off the system's return/supply balance. To avoid unnecessary strain, maintain at least 80% of your supply registers open and unobstructed.

Locate and Close Air Leaks

Heat-trapping, humid air can enter your home through leaky windows, doors, and other apertures. To address this problem, examine window and door seals and fill gaps with caulk and weatherstripping. Next, look for holes or inadequate insulation around the attic's light fixtures, ducting, and pipes. To stop unwelcome air exchange via the attic floor, seal these leaks with spray foam and add more insulation.