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Spring Cleaning for Your HVAC System: Maintenance Tips

Woman sitting in living room area, surrounded by plants, looking through window.

 

The weather starting to warm up means spring is on the way – and so is the aptly named “spring cleaning.” For many, this simply means decluttering and deep cleaning their home, performing tasks like getting rid of clothes they no longer wear, dusting every surface, and even steaming their carpets.  

 

However, there is another vital task: spring cleaning for your HVAC system

 

Many consider HVAC systems to be the backbone of the home – and because of that, they require regular maintenance. The transition from winter to spring is perhaps the perfect time for one session of HVAC maintenance. 

 

In this blog, we’re uncovering why HVAC system maintenance is so important, how to prepare for spring HVAC maintenance, and tips on spring cleaning for your HVAC system.  

 

Do not hesitate to reach out for any of your HVAC needs, including HVAC system spring cleaning maintenance. Our experienced team of HVAC technicians is one phone call or email away, so don’t be afraid to reach out

 

 

Why is HVAC System Maintenance Important? 

A functioning HVAC system is key to ensuring a home is heated in the winter, cooled in the summer, and well-ventilated throughout the entire year. Of course, to achieve this, an HVAC system must be well-maintained. To that end, here are the details on why HVAC system maintenance is so important: 

 

Extend Equipment Life 

Many HVAC systems can last anywhere between 15 to 25 years. This estimate is variable because several factors influence the useful equipment life of an HVAC system. One of the major factors, of course, is whether the system received regular maintenance. Ensuring your HVAC system is maintained on a regular basis, including receiving spring cleaning, can help extend the useful life of the equipment before it must be replaced

 

Boost Energy Efficiency 

An HVAC system that receives regular maintenance, including changing air filters and cleaning air ducts, will demonstrate increased energy efficiency. In other words, the HVAC system will not need to use nearly as much energy to perform its necessary tasks. This can translate into lower energy bills as well as a beneficial effect on the surrounding environment. 

 

Obtain Cost Savings 

As mentioned, a well-maintained HVAC system is more energy efficient, and this can result in lower energy bills. Ultimately, it means homeowners do not have to pay as much for the energy they use – they are using less! In addition to this, regular HVAC maintenance helps homeowners reduce the need for costly repairs to their HVAC system – especially emergency HVAC repairs

 

Create Consistent Comfort 

It is clear – one of the main functions of an HVAC system is to create consistent comfort within the home. Regular HVAC maintenance, including the tasks that make up spring cleaning for your HVAC system, helps the system achieve a comfortable temperature and overall environment more efficiently. The maintenance also ensures the HVAC system can maintain a comfortable indoor environment without much fuss. 

 

Reduce Need for Emergency Repairs 

As mentioned previously, engaging in regular HVAC maintenance helps reduce the need for emergency HVAC repairs. Not only does this help with cost savings, but it also ensures there is no lapse in the home’s comfortable indoor environment if an appointment cannot be immediately obtained.  

 

Maintain the Warranty 

Many appliances in the average home, including washing machines and dryers, dishwashers, and even ovens, have warranties attached to them – the same applies to your HVAC system. Every warranty has a set of rules that must be followed to ensure the warranty is valid and any claims are dealt with accordingly. A major part of most HVAC warranties is engaging in regular maintenance and necessary upgrades – not doing so, after all, can increase the risk of issues occurring.  

 

 

How to Prepare for Spring HVAC Maintenance 

Before the necessary spring HVAC maintenance can begin, every homeowner must prepare their HVAC system as best as they can. Here are the top 3 tasks you can do to prepare your HVAC system for spring cleaning:  

 

Uncover the Air Conditioner 

Before the winter hit, you should have covered up your air conditioning unit outside. Now that spring has arrived, it is time to uncover the unit. While you may not be turning on the air conditioning yet, summer won’t be too far after spring. The time between now and then is perfect to ensure your AC unit is in perfect working order – and this process starts with uncovering the unit. 

 

Woman changing thermostat temperature.

 

Adjust the Thermostat Settings 

Your thermostat will no longer need to keep your home at such a high temperature. Since the weather outside will now be more agreeable and the temperatures warmer, the air indoors will also rise. Ensure that you adjust the settings on your thermostat to reflect the changes in this weather and take some of the pressure off the heating components of your HVAC system. 

 

Cover the Heating Vents 

Everyone knows spring is a transition season – and so is the final of these three tips. When preparing for spring cleaning for your HVAC system, you should be sure to cover the heating vents in your home. As has been discussed, the temperature outdoors is heating up and you won’t need your HVAC system to heat your home until winter hits again. 

 

 

Key Tips for Spring Cleaning for your HVAC System  

Now that you have prepared your HVAC system for spring cleaning, it is time to get started. Here are the key tips to keep in mind with regards to HVAC system spring cleaning

 

Change Air Filters 

Standard practice dictates air filters in most HVAC systems need to be cleaned regularly and replaced every 45 to 90 days. Spring cleaning for your HVAC system should start with inspecting the state of your air filters and then changing them as necessary. Doing so will help ensure your HVAC system operates at peak efficiency throughout the spring and summer. 

 

Test AC Unit 

Since you will soon need your air conditioner to keep your home cool, spring cleaning for your HVAC system should include a test of your AC unit. This can help reveal if it is functioning normally or if there are any issues that may need to be addressed. 

 

Clear Area around AC Unit 

In addition to testing your AC unit, it is important to clean the area surrounding it. This may be debris from the winter or other clutter. In any case, clearing the area makes way for a licensed HVAC technician to come in and perform any preventative maintenance that may be required. 

 

Declutter the Home 

It may come as a surprise to some, but decluttering your home, the traditional form of spring cleaning, can help improve the function of your HVAC system.

 

The two key tasks that can be especially helpful in this regard are: 

 

  • Getting rid of unnecessary furniture (uncovering vents) and 
  • Dust every surface, corner, and vent (clear the home of allergens and increase air quality). 

 

Invest in a Smart Thermostat 

If you have not done so, spring cleaning is the perfect time to invest in a smart thermostat. There are many benefits to smart thermostats, including the programmable settings and increased energy efficiency they offer. Talk to an experienced HVAC technician about which one may be right for your home and needs. 

 

Inspect for Wear and Tear 

It is vital to inspect for wear and tear as part of spring cleaning for your HVAC system. Inspect everything you can easily access. Doing so can help reveal potential issues that may require the attention of a licensed HVAC technician. You may even be able to avoid costly emergency HVAC repairs a few months later if you identify an issue early and have it fixed. 

 

Clean Air Ducts 

There is perhaps no better time for duct cleaning than as part of your spring HVAC maintenance routine. A thorough duct cleaning will help your HVAC system operate at the highest possible efficiency. Remember, an efficient HVAC system uses less energy to perform the same tasks – resulting in reduced energy bills and a consistent comfortable temperature in the home. Be sure to call an experienced HVAC technician to help you out with this task. 

 

Schedule a Preventative Maintenance Appointment 

Regular preventative maintenance appointments for your HVAC system are a key component of ensuring it continues to operate efficiently and the risk of emergency HVAC repairs remains low. As part of spring cleaning for your HVAC system, be sure to schedule a preventative HVAC maintenance appointment with a licensed HVAC technician. They will be able to thoroughly examine your HVAC system, identify potential issues and fix them, as well as recommend potential upgrades to ensure your HVAC system.  

 

This way, it’s not only ready for the spring, but prepared for the foreseeable future. 

 

Do not hesitate to reach out for any of your HVAC needs, including HVAC system spring cleaning maintenance. Our experienced team of HVAC technicians is one phone call or email away, so don’t be afraid to reach out

 

 

 

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