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Is your air conditioning system ready for spring and summer?
If not, you are in the right place, and there is no better time than now to prepare it for the coming heat.
Like your vehicle, your central air conditioner needs regular cleaning and professional tune-ups to perform at its best. Cleaning your HVAC unit this time of year (every year) ensures that the entire system runs optimally; it prevents the need to repair a broken air conditioner or heat pump or even replace it prematurely. Because about half of the average energy bill goes into the heating and cooling of our homes, tune-ups (and preventative maintenance) help to save us hundreds of dollars annually — not to mention the fact that it lowers the risk of inconvenient breakdowns and expensive repairs. In any case, a spring HVAC checklist is the perfect way to stay on track and your friends here at Five Star Home Services are always ready to help!
Because of the cool weather we enjoy during the spring, this is an excellent time to maintain and prepare your indoor HVAC system and outdoor air conditioning for the long and sizzling summer ahead. In the following, we provide you with your spring HVAC checklist for your system to ensure that everything is running smoothly on your end before the hot months set in.
Spring HVAC Checklist for an Indoor System
1. Replace Your Air Filters
If your air conditioner fails to turn on or if it is underperforming, your unit’s air filters could be dirty or clogged. When dirty, air filters hinder the flow of air through the cooling system. This causes it to have to work harder, and it reduces energy efficiency. Because of this, it is important to make sure you check your filters monthly to remove debris and dirt from blocking your HVAC equipment as you replace faulty ones. We also need to remember to clean or replace every air filter at least once every three months.
We can test whether our air filters are working by holding each one up to the light and assessing the amount of light that is able to pass through. If little or no light passes through them, it is clogged and needs immediate cleaning or replacement. On the other hand, our newer air conditioning systems automatically shut down once the air filters become overly clogged. You can avoid forgetting to perform this essential task by setting up phone reminders or marking your calendar. You could also write the replacement date on the filter to remember the best time.
2. Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat
If you have not already, now is an excellent time to upgrade to a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats are low-cost, and they are great for saving money on energy bills. They keep the HVAC system working less when the temperature is comfortable. Even though a manual thermostat can work perfectly fine, a smart thermostat helps to keep your temperature comfortable throughout the home. They are smart home-friendly, and they can be controlled via your smartphone. For professional installation of affordable smart thermostats and programmable thermostats, call our friendly local HVAC technicians to come over and install one for you before summertime. As a local, family-owned company since 1972, we proudly serve all of Greater Dayton, Greater Columbus, Greater Cincinnati, and surrounding areas!
3. Clean Dirty Windows & Doors
Do you remember when the last time you gave your windows and doors a good scrub? If not, now is a good time to clean them. Otherwise, if your windows are dirty, it means that dust, allergens, and mold can find a breeding ground. Spring is the ideal time to wash doors and windows as you get ready for the sun to shine through them for some much-needed sunlight during the summer. Natural sunlight can be a brilliant, cost-effective alternative to adjusting lighting levels in the home and bringing in natural sunlight.
4. Invest in an Air Purifier
An air purifier from Five Star Home Services also works wonders in helping you to get rid of germs, mold, and allergens, leaving your home with cleaner and fresher air. Your indoor air quality is a crucial factor in your overall health and well-being. As you begin to clean, inspect the seals around your windows and doors as well. Replace any old or damaged seals to prevent drafts and air leaks for the overall comfort of your home.
5. Ensure all Your Electrical Connections are Working Properly
If you have any electrical wiring that is faulty, your entire HVAC system will become unsafe. This can also reduce the lifespan of individual components in the system. Because of this, it is important to check the entire electrical system before running the heating and air conditioning systems. Because troubleshooting electrical components and HVAC equipment can often be dangerous, we recommend seeking the services of one of our trusted, local professionals within the Five Star Home Services Family. We are available 24/7 throughout the three major metropolitan areas in Central and Southwestern Ohio.
6. Clean Floor Registers
Have a look at all the pet hair, dirt, and other debris that builds up around your home over the months. Not pretty, right? Now is the time to clean your floor registers by dusting them first and then wiping them down with warm, soapy water. Do not forget to reinstall these registers after they have thoroughly dried. Check to make sure they are open to allow for proper airflow.
7. Clean Your Ceiling Air Vents & Use Fans
Ceiling fans are excellent for circulating fresh air in and around the home before the air conditioner runs constantly during the summer. You can also vacuum your vents to remove the dust accumulation before washing them with warm, soapy water and allowing them to dry thoroughly as well.
Spring HVAC Checklist for an Outdoor Unit
1. Clean Around Your Central Air Conditioner
During the fall and winter, a lot of filth and debris often accumulate around your central air conditioning unit. Remove all this debris around the equipment and clean it up. Keep an eye out for any pests that may have found a home in your A/C unit during the colder season.
2. Clear the Space Around Your Unit
You should also have at least five feet of vertical space above your A/C unit for air to properly circulate throughout the HVAC system and three feet of space surrounding it. If anything is growing close to the unit, now is the time to remove it. Trim back any tree limbs or shrubs within 10 feet of your unit to prevent further growth during the spring to give your HVAC system the space it needs to function properly and prevent any future damage. Then, using a garden hose, carefully clean off the exterior of your unit.
3. Check the A/C Unit Drain Line
Throughout the months of its usage, your central air conditioner produces excess moisture and drains it away through a hose-like drain line. This is a normal part of the cooling process. Keep an out for water flowing from the drain line once you turn on the conditioner and allow it to run for some time. Usually, it is just a tiny amount of water. However, if nothing comes out after a while, your drain line could be clogged, and you should give us a call.
Schedule a Professional Air Conditioning Tune-Up
We leave the most important aspect of our “Ultimate Spring HVAC Checklist” for last. Whether you have an indoor or outdoor unit, the most important thing you can do to prepare this valuable equipment for the coming season is to schedule an air conditioning tune-up with our professionals at Five Star Home Services. Taking this crucial step will help you achieve all the spring HVAC checklist items you cannot DIY. A few of the things our professional HVAC technicians will do include the following:
Clearing and cleaning the condensate drain line
- Tightening and repairing faulty electrical connections
- Replace AC air filters
- Remove unit covers.
- Check air conditioner refrigerant lines
- Checking the refrigerant levels and refilling if necessary
- Testing your thermostat
- Clearing the drainage hole
- Cleaning the vents, if necessary
- And more . . .
Because of this, it is extremely important to not only schedule a professional air conditioner tune-up and check-out during the spring but also schedule a furnace tune-up and safety check during the fall for the overall safe and efficient operation of your HVAC system. An annual HVAC tune-up will help improve comfort and air quality at home, lower energy costs, reduce breakdowns, and prolong the lifespan of your system; it also keeps your manufacturer warranties valid so if anything does happen, you are covered.
Although many of us are extremely busy, as homeowners and business owners, we must all find the time to incorporate this spring checklist into our routine home maintenance practices. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. These few extra minutes and added efforts can help us protect our valuable heating and cooling systems. They also help you to save untold amounts of money overall.
This thorough HVAC inspection and maintenance list will allow your HVAC system to run smoothly throughout the summer season. At Five Star Home Services, we strive to ensure our customers enjoy unparalleled professionalism and excellence in customer service. We also want you to enjoy budget-friendly quotes on professional air conditioning repairs and installations, among our countless other home services. If you need further help or have any questions, you are encouraged to call us today for all your HVAC system needs and get your system in top shape and running again in no time.
As a family-owned and operated business since 1972, we proudly serve homeowners and business owners throughout Central and Southwest Ohio. Call us today at (833) 405-8009.